Trent Alexander-Arnold expressed that he will always cherish his time at Liverpool, regardless of the reception he receives when he returns to Anfield on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old defender is expected to be part of the Real Madrid squad for the Champions League encounter, having recovered from a hamstring injury.
This matchup comes shortly after a lengthy transfer saga involving Alexander-Arnold, during which he faced boos from some Liverpool fans upon the news of his departure.
In an interview with Prime Video Sport ahead of the match, which will be streamed on Prime, Alexander-Arnold commented: “When the draw was made, I think everyone had a sense it would lead to this fixture. They’re a great team, so it was only a matter of time before I would return to play against Liverpool. It’s coming up soon, and I have mixed feelings about it. I know it will be a challenging game, but I’m looking forward to it.”
He also stated that he wouldn’t celebrate if he scores against his former team. Regarding the fan reception, he noted: “How the fans react is up to them. I’ll always have love for the club and be grateful for all the opportunities and memories we’ve created together—those will stay with me forever. Regardless of the reception I get, my feelings towards Liverpool will remain unchanged.”
His move to Madrid provided Alexander-Arnold with the chance to team up with fellow England international Jude Bellingham, who he revealed played a significant role in his decision to join the Bernabeu.
“There were plenty of rumors about ‘agent Jude,'” Alexander-Arnold recalled.
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“During his first season at Real, we would meet at England camps, and everyone was curious about what it was like at the club. He described it as incredible and said he had never seen anything like it. The ambition within the club to win was palpable. He spoke very highly of his experience, and ultimately, I realized I needed a change for myself and was seeking a new challenge both on and off the pitch.”