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Trent Alexander-Arnold has opened up about his return to Anfield since his $13 million move to Real Madrid this summer.
Real Madrid faces Liverpool in the Champions League on Tuesday and the 27-year-old full-back is expected to make his first start since September 16, following a difficult start to life in Spain.
His previous appearance lasted just five minutes against Marseille, leaving him visibly frustrated. A hamstring injury slowed his integration, and he has been an unused substitute in the last two matches, with Xabi Alonso preferring Federico Valverde at right-back.
This will be the second consecutive year Los Blancos visits Anfield, following Arne Slot’s side securing a 2-0 victory over the Spanish giants in last year’s Champions League league phase.
In an interview with Amazon Prime Video, Alexander-Arnold explained why he decided to join the Spanish giants and revealed when he made the choice to leave his hometown club. Here is everything he had to say...
On the reception he will get
"Whatever way I’m received, is the decision of the fans. I’ll always love the club, I’ll always be a fan of the club. I’ll always be thankful for the opportunities and the things we achieved together… they’ll live with me forever.
"No matter what, my feeling won’t change towards Liverpool. I’ve got memories there that will last me a lifetime, and no matter how I'm received, that won’t change."
On if he will celebrate if he scores at Anfield
“You've got to put your emotions to one side and play the best football game you can. (But) If I was to score, then I wouldn’t celebrate. No."
On 'agent Jude' and decision to leave
“There was a lot of speculation… the ‘agent Jude ’ stuff. It was more so in his first season (at Real Madrid)… we’d meet up at England camps and everyone would want to know what it was like behind the scenes (at Real Madrid )… he said it was incredible, and he’d never seen anything like it.
"The drive from the whole club, to win and the expectation to win. He talked so highly of the club, and I’d made my mind up at the end of the day, I needed a change for me. I wanted a new challenge on and off the pitch.
"He is a great lad and we are great friends. It is good to have someone who is English and we know each other well. It made settling in easy for me.
“(La Liga) is slightly slower paced, it’s not as much transitional and physical - but it’s difficult in other ways. I’d say on a technical level, it’s much higher (than the Premier League ) if I’m honest."
Messages from former teammates
"After the draw, Robbo, Mo and Ibou (Konate) all messaged me, we were just laughing. When the draw was announced, everyone knew it was going to happen, it was destined for that fixture to come. It will be a very difficult game, the reception and atmosphere will contribute to that.
"It will be a very difficult game, the reception and atmosphere will contribute to that. Although they (Liverpool) haven’t had the results of late, they’re still a top footballing team, and nobody here thinks it’s going to be an easy game."
On playing for Madrid
“It’s a surreal moment, you know [seeing his shirt in the Bernabeu]. Again, I’ve had a lot throughout my career, but that’s another huge one and another huge milestone for me.
“To play at such an iconic stadium for the home team this time was much better than the away team.”
On first chat with Alonso
"I remember the Istanbul game vividly. Whether that is a natural memory or because I have watched it back so many times, I'm not sure. I am able to remember how Xabi played and what a player he was. I said to him in the first conversation that we had, that watching him and Steven Gerrard when I was growing up, made me realize that passing was an art.
"When they passed the ball, it sounded different. You can hear a good pass. It is the sound when the ball strikes the ball. It sounds differently. It is hard to describe. If you know, you know.
"He was an idol of mine. He was someone I looked up to and I practiced a lot of the passing he would do. Even now in training, he shows off his passing. He could still play! The way he sees the game is in a pure form."
English (US) ·