Trent Alexander-Arnold’s move from Liverpool to Real Madrid was expected to mark the beginning of a new chapter at the highest level of European football. Instead, the England international is facing an uncertain spell in Spain, with limited playing time raising questions about his role, his future and whether leaving Anfield was the right decision.
Jamie Carragher, the former Liverpool defender and one of Alexander-Arnold’s most prominent admirers, believes the right-back made a mistake by leaving his boyhood club. Speaking on The Overlap podcast, Carragher argued that Liverpool could benefit from the qualities the 27-year-old brought to their attack—and suggested he would welcome a return if it made sense for the club.
Alexander-Arnold’s difficult start at Real Madrid
Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2025 after a long and decorated career at Liverpool. The transfer promised a fresh challenge, a chance to compete for major honours in Spain and an opportunity to bring his distinctive passing range to one of world football’s biggest clubs.
So far, however, the move has not delivered the regular football many expected. He has started only four matches this season and has slipped down the right-back pecking order under José Mourinho. Fede Valverde and Denzel Dumfries have both featured ahead of him, leaving the former Liverpool star with a difficult path back into the starting XI.
That situation is particularly striking because Alexander-Arnold’s reputation was built on far more than his defensive work. At Liverpool, he became a key creative outlet, capable of switching play with long diagonal passes, delivering dangerous crosses and creating chances from deep. Those skills made him one of the most influential attacking full-backs in the Premier League.
At Madrid, competition for places is intense, and the coaching staff may have different priorities when choosing a right-back. Valverde offers energy and midfield versatility, while Dumfries brings physicality and direct running. Alexander-Arnold’s challenge is to show that his vision and technical quality can provide a different kind of value—and that his overall contribution fits the team’s tactical demands.
A Clásico cameo highlights his reduced role
One of the clearest signs of Alexander-Arnold’s diminished standing came in last season’s Clásico against Barcelona. Real Madrid won 2-1, but the Englishman appeared only in stoppage time. A brief late cameo in a match of that magnitude offered little opportunity to influence the result and underlined how far he was from being a regular starter.
One appearance alone does not define a player’s season, and selection can depend on fitness, tactics and the specific demands of an opponent. But when a high-profile signing is also struggling for starts, a short appearance in a major fixture can become a symbol of a broader problem. For Alexander-Arnold, the key issue is not simply the lack of minutes; it is the absence of a settled role.
That uncertainty creates a difficult cycle. Limited playing time makes it harder to build rhythm and demonstrate consistency, while strong competition gives the manager fewer reasons to change a winning lineup. Unless Alexander-Arnold earns a sustained run of games, speculation about his place in Madrid’s plans is likely to continue.
Carragher says Liverpool should consider bringing him back
Carragher did not hide his view on the transfer. “I would bring him back,” he said, describing the decision to leave Liverpool as a “huge mistake.” He also pointed to the depth chart at Real Madrid, arguing that a player who has fallen to third choice should consider whether the club still sees him as a central part of its plans.
His comments reflect both a sporting argument and an emotional connection. Alexander-Arnold developed at Liverpool, became a Champions League and Premier League winner there, and established himself as one of the club’s most recognisable players. A return would be a major story, but nostalgia alone would not make it a straightforward move.
Any potential transfer would depend on several practical questions: whether Real Madrid would be willing to sell, whether Liverpool’s recruitment plans include a right-back, and whether the player himself would want to return. Wages, transfer fees, contract terms and the club’s long-term squad strategy would all need to align. Carragher acknowledged that a reunion would have to suit Liverpool’s sporting needs rather than happen simply because the opportunity exists.
Liverpool still feel the loss of his creativity
Carragher also focused on what Liverpool have lost since Alexander-Arnold’s departure: a distinctive source of creativity from the back. The former defender said the team has experienced problems building attacks through its full-backs, highlighting how difficult it can be to replace a player whose passing shaped Liverpool’s approach.
Alexander-Arnold often acted like an extra playmaker. From wide positions, he could find forwards between the lines, switch the ball to the opposite flank or deliver early passes that forced defenders to turn towards their own goal. That range helped Liverpool move the ball quickly and stretch compact opponents. Replacing it is not simply a matter of signing another defender; it may require changes to the team’s build-up patterns and midfield structure.
Carragher praised “Ronnie” in his remarks but maintained that Liverpool have missed Alexander-Arnold’s ability to help construct attacks. The comment points to a broader challenge for the club: balancing defensive reliability with the progressive passing and invention that made its previous system so effective.
What happens next for the England international?
Alexander-Arnold’s immediate priority is likely to be earning the trust of Mourinho and securing more consistent minutes. A run of starts could give him the chance to adapt to Madrid’s demands and demonstrate that his attacking strengths can work within the team’s balance. If his role remains limited, both the player and the club may eventually need to reassess their options.
For Liverpool supporters, the possibility of a return is an intriguing prediction rather than a confirmed plan. Carragher’s comments have added fuel to the discussion, but there is no guarantee that either club is preparing a deal. Much will depend on Alexander-Arnold’s performances, Madrid’s squad decisions and Liverpool’s needs in future transfer windows.
The wider lesson is that even elite players can face uncertainty after a major move. A change of league, coach and tactical environment can alter a footballer’s standing quickly. Alexander-Arnold remains a gifted passer with a proven record at the top level, but his next months in Madrid may determine whether this transfer becomes a temporary setback—or a turning point that leads him toward another destination.
