In a stunning turn of events, Trent Alexander-Arnold, the 26-year-old England international, reportedly demanded a return to Liverpool just 24 hours after joining Real Madrid, citing acute homesickness for Merseyside. The right-back, who left his boyhood club for a £10 million move to the Spanish giants on June 12, 2025, to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup, is said to have struggled to adapt to life away from Liverpool, prompting an extraordinary plea to rejoin the Reds.
Alexander-Arnold’s departure from Liverpool, where he made 354 appearances and won every major trophy, including two Premier League titles and the 2019 Champions League, was already contentious. His decision to run down his contract and join Real Madrid sparked backlash from fans, with some booing him at Anfield and one burning his No. 66 shirt. Despite a warm send-off from Liverpool’s owners, who assured him he’d “always be welcome back,” the move to Madrid was seen as a betrayal by sections of the Kop, who cherished him as “the Scouser in our team.” His fluent Spanish at his Madrid unveiling—learned over “a few months”—further fueled speculation he had long planned the exit, intensifying fan frustration.
However, reports suggest Alexander-Arnold’s time in Madrid was overwhelmed by homesickness. After a single training session in the 32°C heat of Miami’s Gardens North County District Park on June 15, 2025, alongside stars like Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Jr., he reportedly confided in teammates about missing Merseyside’s familiar streets and Anfield’s roar. Sources claim he felt isolated, trailing Bellingham “like the new kid at school,” and struggled with the intense scrutiny at “the most relentlessly exposed football club on the planet.” By June 16, he allegedly contacted Liverpool’s sporting director, Richard Hughes, expressing a desire to return.
Real Madrid, who signed him to a six-year contract with a €1 billion buy-out clause, are reportedly furious but open to negotiations, potentially demanding Liverpool repay the £10 million fee plus additional compensation. Liverpool, having replaced him with Jeremie Frimpong (£29.5m from Bayer Leverkusen), face a dilemma, with Arne Slot wary of disrupting squad harmony. Fans on social media are divided—some mock his swift regret, others urge his reinstatement. While no deal has been confirmed, Alexander-Arnold’s brief Madrid stint may end as abruptly as it began, leaving his legacy at Liverpool hanging in the balance.
