Trent Alexander-Arnold closer to Liverpool return after Champions League tie suspended

Trent Alexander-Arnold could be in line for a return to Liverpool later this season after a controversial night in the Champions League which saw Real Madrid's game against Benfica halted

Trent Alexander-Arnold could return to Liverpool in the Champions League later this season(Image: Getty Images)

Trent Alexander-Arnold moved a step closer to a potential return to Liverpool later this season after a controversial night in the Champions League.

The Reds are already through to the last-16 in Europe after finishing in the top-eight of the league phase, meaning Arne Slot’s side can sit back and watch this month’s play-offs unfold before resuming their quest for a seventh European crown next in March.

The first round of play-off games got underway on Tuesday, with Liverpool moving a step closer to knowing it’s last-16 opponent after Galatasaray beat Juventus 5-2 in the first leg of their encounter, and the picture moving further into the competition has become a little clearer.

Real Madrid faced a replay of its thrilling final league phase game against Benfica, with the Spanish giants getting the better of their Portuguese opponents on this occasion, although the contest was completed under a cloud.

Vinicius Jr scored the only goal of the game in Lisbon, ensuring Real will take a 1-0 lead back to the Bernabeu for next week’s second leg.

The game had to be halted for around 10 minutes after the goal though after Vinicius seemingly alleged he had been targeted by racist abuse. The Brazilian reported a comment made to him, which led referee Francois Letexier to initiate UEFA’s anti-racism protocol.

Vinicius Jr speaks to Jose Mourinho as Real Madrid's game against Benfica is halted(Image: Getty Images)

Chaos ensued as a member of one of the teams’ backroom staff was sent off, while Jose Mourinho attempted to speak to a clearly furious Vinicius. Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni had been spotted on camera covering his mouth with his shirt as he spoke with Vinicius before the report was made to the referee.

The game did eventually resume, with Real holding on to its lead as Mourinho was later sent off. The result means Alvaro Arbeloa’s side is now a step closer to securing a place in the last-16, and another potential return to Liverpool for Alexander-Arnold later on in the competition.

The two sides have already met this season, with the Reds recording a 1-0 win at Anfield during the league phase, and they could face each other again in the semi-finals should they both make it that far.

Liverpool will find out which side of the draw it will be placed in on February 27, when it will be paired with one of Galatasaray or Juventus, or one of Club Brugge or Atletico Madrid. The former option would put it on a path for a potential meeting with Real and Alexander-Arnold.

Elsewhere in the competition, Paris Saint-Germain came from 2-0 down to beat fellow French side Monaco 3-2, with the defending European champions set to have home advantage in the second leg next week. PSG could be a potential quarter-final opponent for Liverpool in a possible replay of last-season’s last-16 encounter.

Borussia Dortmund also won, beating Atalanta 2-0 in the first leg of their tie in Germany, with those two sides potential semi-final opponents for the Reds.