“Arnold” joined Real Madrid during the last summer transfer window, after his contract with Liverpool expired and he moved on a free transfer.
The tournament draw resulted in a quick return for “Arnold” to the club where he grew up, after a summer that witnessed widespread controversy about his move to Real Madrid, where the right-back was subjected to boos from some Liverpool fans after the announcement of his departure.
According to the British newspaper “Liverpool Echo,” some Liverpool fans defaced the “Trent Alexander-Arnold” mural near “Anfield” earlier today, writing on it in Spanish: “Goodbye, Rat,” before workers cleaned the mural later.
Liverpool hosts Real Madrid today, Tuesday, at “Anfield,” in a top match in the fourth round of the group stage of the Champions League.
“Arnold” said that he will continue to love Liverpool no matter how he is received at “Anfield” today, Tuesday.
In an interview with “Prime Video Sport” before the match that will be broadcast on the platform, “Arnold” stated: “When the draw was made, almost everyone felt that this meeting was destiny, this scenario was destined to happen.”
He added: “Of course they are a big team, so I knew that at some point I would face Liverpool again, whether at the Bernabeu or Anfield, it happened very quickly, I have mixed feelings, it will be a very difficult match, but I am very excited about it.”
“Arnold” confirmed that he will not celebrate if he manages to score against his former team.
Regarding the reception he expects from Liverpool fans, he said: “Whatever way I am received, that is the fans’ decision.”
He continued: “I will continue to love the club, and I will remain a fan of it forever, I will remain grateful for the opportunities I got there, and for the things we achieved together, those memories will stay with me forever.”
He added: “Whatever happens, my feelings towards Liverpool will not change, I have memories there that will last a lifetime, and regardless of the reception I receive, that will not change anything in my heart.”
Also, “Arnold’s” move to Real Madrid has given him the opportunity to play alongside his teammate in the English national team, “Jude Bellingham,” who admitted that he played a big role in convincing him to move to the “Bernabeu.”
“Arnold” stated: “There were a lot of rumors, and talk about ‘Agent Jude Bellingham’ trying to convince me, in his first season with Real Madrid, we would meet in national team camps, and everyone would ask him about the atmosphere inside the club.”
He added: “He told me that it was an amazing experience, and that he had never seen anything like it before, whether in terms of ambition or the spirit of the club and its constant desire to win, he was talking very enthusiastically about Real Madrid, and in the end I made my decision, I felt that I needed a change in my life, I was looking for a new challenge inside and outside the field.”
“Trent Alexander-Arnold” is considered one of the most prominent talents to graduate from the Liverpool academy in the last decade, and he is a symbol of the new generation of full-backs who combine defensive strength, offensive vision, and creativity in playmaking.
“Arnold” was born on October 8, 1998 in Liverpool, and grew up loving the club since he was young, where he joined its academy at the age of six, to begin a long journey of development within the walls of “Melwood.”
Since his early stages, “Arnold” has attracted attention with his tactical intelligence and his ability to execute set pieces with extreme precision, which made him the focus of attention of coaches in various age groups.
In 2016, specifically under the leadership of German coach “Jurgen Klopp,” the talented young man got his first opportunity with the first team, appearing for the first time in the League Cup against Tottenham Hotspur, before gradually starting to establish himself within the starting lineup.
His real breakthrough was during the 2017-2018 season, when he imposed himself as a starter in the right-back position thanks to his remarkable levels, especially in the Champions League, where he played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s reaching the final against Real Madrid.
Since then, “Arnold” has become one of the most important keys to playing in the “Klopp” system, thanks to his accurate long passes and his skill in sending deadly crosses, in addition to his speed in offensive rebounding.
“Arnold” achieved historical achievements with Liverpool, most notably winning the Champions League in 2019 after defeating Tottenham, and the English Premier League in the 2019-2020 season after a 30-year absence, in addition to the Club World Cup and the European Super Cup. He also broke records in scoring goals for a player in the full-back position, as he was the one who contributed the most assists in the Premier League for consecutive seasons.
Besides his success with the club, “Arnold” has become a permanent member of the English national team since 2018, and participated in several major tournaments such as the 2022 World Cup and Euro 2020, where he proved that he is able to provide addition even in other positions such as midfield thanks to his distinguished vision of the field.
However, “Arnold’s” career has not been without challenges, as he was criticized in some periods for his defensive performance, but his ability to constantly develop made him overcome all those doubts. He also faced frequent muscle injuries, especially in his last season with Liverpool, which affected his regular participation.
In the summer of 2025, “Arnold” made a fateful decision to end his journey with Liverpool and move to Real Madrid, in a huge deal that sparked widespread controversy among “the Reds” fans.
The player justified his decision with his desire to take on a new challenge outside England, and join a club that has a great history on the European scene.
Also, his joining Real Madrid gave him the opportunity to play alongside his teammate in the national team, “Jude Bellingham,” and gave him a new experience in a completely different environment.
Thus, “Arnold” began a new chapter in his career, hoping to leave a strong mark in the “Bernabeu” as he did in “Anfield.”
