Did Mourinho just end Trent’s Real Madrid career? Why Liverpool return is on the cards

Analysis

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Trent Alexander-Arnold is facing the prospect of having his dream move to Real Madrid cut short after just 18 months at the club.

Mourinho wasted little time in the summer recruiting competition for Trent when he signed Denzel Dumfries from Inter Milan, but it now appears that the Englishman has fallen to third choice in the manager's thinking.

During Sunday’s La Liga encounter against Sevilla, which Dumfries was unavailable for, the 28-year-old was placed on the bench and did not get a single minute for a second match in succession.

Rather than field another natural right-back, Mourinho opted to play Federico Valverde in the right-back area, despite the Uruguayan making clear that it is not a role he enjoys.

Trent might have hoped a change of management in the summer might have improved his fortunes in the Spanish capital, where everything seems to have gone wrong since he made a €10 million switch from Liverpool at the beginning of June 2025 ahead of the Club World Cup.

But things are only getting worse for him, with his career facing an alarming stagnation unless he can force a move away in January – ideally back to Anfield.

He has started only three times in 11 games, but while dropping behind Dumfries may have been palatable, having Mourinho prefer Valverde, a midfielder by trade, in his favoured role simply hammers home the point that Trent is not considered to be a meaningful part of the manager’s plans.

Analysis: Liverpool return is Trent’s best option

With Trent’s future at Real Madrid increasingly hanging in the balance, a return to Liverpool would clearly be the optimal move.

This is not simply a nostalgic dream but also the analysis of SciSports. Its Career Advice tool scores potential destinations based on a wide variety of factors, including development, playing time, style and formation.

Alexander-Arnold’s best option would be to return to Anfield, according to the analytics firm, which scores Liverpool as at an impressive 86. This is his best option ahead of Aston Villa (82), PSG (80), Manchester City and Arsenal (both 76).

Forgiveness is in Liverpool’s interests

Once a firm favourite of the Anfield crowd, the Scouse full-back was booed on his return to Liverpool on Champions League duty with Real Madrid last term. It was a clear indication on how far his star has fallen since leaving the club.

Reds fans felt betrayed by Alexander-Arnold’s consistent promises that he was not in talks with Real Madrid over leaving as a free agent at the end of his contract, only for him to pitch up at the Bernabeu speaking Spanish after months of transfer rumours.

It appears in the interests of both parties to bury the hatchet, though. Liverpool had hoped Jeremie Frimpong would be an effective replacement for the homegrown talent, yet he has proven a defensive liability, while Conor Bradley is currently out with a long-term injury.

Amid this crisis, Alexander-Arnold moving back to Liverpool is a deal that could suit both parties if the past can be forgiven.