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It didn’t take long for Liverpool and Trent Alexander-Arnold to be reunited, with the Reds’ former vice-captain back on Merseyside just months after bidding farewell to Anfield.
Alexander-Arnold of course made the decision to leave his boyhood club earlier this year - a call that didn’t go down well with a lot of supporters after he ran down his contract, leaving Liverpool facing up to the prospect of losing one of its prized assets for nothing.
The Reds would end up getting a small fee in the end, but for many, the damage was already done, and Alexander-Arnold may well be in for a frosty - to say the least - reception at Anfield on Tuesday.
The 27-year-old clearly still holds a special place in his heart for Liverpool. His former teammates and Arne Slot have already indicated that they will be giving him a warm welcome, even if he isn’t afforded one by the supporters that used to adore him.
Having landed back on Merseyside on Monday, Alexander-Arnold immediately took to Instagram to post a picture to his story of himself walking off the plane, simply captioning it “home” as he showed the affection he still has.
There were no press conference duties for the right-back at Anfield, but he did join Xabi Alonso and Dean Huijsen at his former ground to lay a touching tribute to Diogo Jota, with whom he had played for five years.
Touching upon his return to Liverpool, and the reception he’ll get from the home supporters, Alexander-Arnold told Amazon Prime Video: "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."
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Despite the expectation that he may get a negative reaction back at Anfield, Real boss Alonso - himself a former Red - has urged Alexander-Arnold to enjoy his return.
“We have talked about the team, about the club, and he has to have his own feelings, and he has to enjoy it in his own way," Alonso said.
“I cannot tell him how he needs to feel it. For sure, it’s a little bit different from me, he’s born and bred in Liverpool, I remember him from a young age in the academy, coming into the first-team, winning the Champions League, so he deserves to enjoy that moment because it’s nice to be back, and for him it’s going to be nice.”
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