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Trent Alexander-Arnold laid a wreath at the memorial for Diogo Jota as his Real Madrid prepares to play Liverpool.
The mood at the defending Premier League champions improved slightly as the Reds picked up a second win in the last eight games against Aston Villa on Saturday. However, all eyes are now on the Champions League as Alexander-Arnold is set to return to Anfield for the first time since his dramatic summer exit to Real Madrid.
Ahead of the game, there has been considerable debate about the impact his departure has had on his former team. It’s also unclear what kind of reception the full-back will receive, but Alexander-Arnold showed his class ahead of the reunion.
There was immense bitterness from Liverpool fans over the manner in which Alexander-Arnold departed the club. He reviewed his contract and announced his decision before the end of the last season.
Ahead of his return to Liverpool on Tuesday, Alexander-Arnold paid tribute to Jota. The duo played in 145 games together over five years, and the 27-year-old placed a wreath and a message at the Portuguese star’s memorial.
The message read: “My mate Diogo, you are so missed but still so loved. Yours and Andre’s memory will always live on. I smile everytime I think about you and will always remember the great times we shared. Miss you mate, every day. Love, Trent and family. Forever 20 YNWA.”
In July, the forward tragically lost his life in a crash in the Spanish province of Zamora. Jota's brother and fellow professional footballer, Andre Silva, 25, also died in the incident after the tire blew out on their Lamborghini.
Jota’s death has cast a shadow over Liverpool’s season, and Alexander-Arnold has paid his respects at the first opportunity. It’s unclear if he will even feature in the game, due to both health and competition for places.
Alexander-Arnold is available, having recovered from a hamstring injury sustained in the win over Marseille. But since regaining fitness, he has found himself on the bench as Madrid continued its La Liga campaign with 2-1 and 4-0 victories at home against Barcelona and Valencia, respectively. However, club captain Dani Carvajal is set to be sidelined following knee surgery.
Alexander-Arnold could be in for a hostile welcome should he take to the Anfield turf. Still, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot assured him there are no hard feelings on his part..
“I can only tell you what kind of reception he gets from me,” Slot said in his pre-match press conference. “I have great memories of the player and the human being.
“He was our vice-captain, he was my vice-captain last season. I have memories working with him that are only positive, and I have memories when I was watching him in front of the television, which are only positive as well.
“I can remember multiple great moments of him wearing the Liverpool shirt, so he will get a warm welcome by me. Let’s first wait and see if he’s on the pitch tomorrow, and how our fans will react, I have no clue how that’s going to be, but he gets a warm welcome from me, that’s for sure.”
Real Madrid face Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday, Nov. 4.
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