Liverpool host Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday. This means Trent Alexander-Arnold will return to Anfield for the first time since leaving his boyhood club this summer.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has made it clear he will not celebrate if he scores against Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday. Real Madrid star Alexander-Arnold is ready to face his boyhood club in the Champions League, just five months after his emotional departure.
The England international left Liverpool in July after 20 years, as Real agreed to pay £8.4 million to sign him ahead of the Club World Cup. Alexander-Arnold, 27, is nearing the end of his contract and had rejected the chance to sign a new deal on Merseyside.
The right-back is now preparing to face his former team-mates and play in front of a crowd that booed him since his departure was confirmed just before the end of last season. In an interview with Prime Video Sport, Alexander-Arnold was asked about his stance on one of the most divisive topics in football – celebrating matches against former clubs.
“If I score a goal, I won’t celebrate. No,” the defender replied. Alexander-Arnold has been limited to just five appearances this season due to injury and has yet to confirm his move to Real.
The 27-year-old has watched Real’s last two games from the bench after recovering from a hamstring problem. Alexander-Arnold is hoping to get buy-in from manager Xabi Alonso, another former Liverpool star, and is preparing for a “very difficult game”.
read more: Trent Alexander-Arnold reveals private messages from Liverpool stars ahead of Anfield returnread more: Virgil van Dijk mocks critics in moment of Liverpool’s win over Aston Villa
“When the draw was announced, everyone knew it was going to happen. That match was destined to come,” he added. “It’s going to be a very difficult game, but the reception and the atmosphere will contribute to that.
“They (Liverpool) haven’t had the results of late, but they’re still a top football team and no one here expects it to be an easy game.”
Should we celebrate when Trent Alexander-Arnold scores? Please share your thoughts in the comments section.
Asked about how he would be received by the Anfield crowd, Alexander-Arnold continued: “How I am received is for the fans to decide. I will always love the club and I will always be a fan of the club.”
“I will always be grateful for the opportunities and things that we achieved together… They will live with me forever. No matter what happens, my feelings for Liverpool will not change. I have memories that will last a lifetime, and that will not change, regardless of how I am received.”
Real have made a perfect start to the competition and are now three points behind Liverpool in the Champions League table.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check it out whenever you like. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.
Sky Sports Premier League and EFL package discounts
£43
£35
sky
Get the deal here
Sky has reduced the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 on their bill and offering more than 1,400 live matches from the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will broadcast at least 215 live Premier League matches next season, with an increase of up to 100 more.
