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Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to make his Anfield return on Tuesday, as his current club, Real Madrid, takes on his former team, Liverpool.
However, his participation in the match isn't guaranteed -and neither is his long-term place in Madrid's starting XI. Alexander-Arnold is available for the crucial Champions League encounter, having recovered from a hamstring injury sustained during a 2-1 home victory over Marseille on September 16.
Despite regaining fitness, the right-back 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. The likelihood of Alexander-Arnold securing a place in Xabi Alonso's starting XI has been enhanced by the news that club captain and legend Dani Carvajal is due for a stint on the sidelines following knee surgery.
However, it was the adaptable Federico Valverde who took up the right-back position in the win over Valencia on Saturday, a match marked by two additional goals from Kylian Mbappe, who now boasts 21 goals in 17 appearances for club and country this season.
Didi Hamann, a former Liverpool teammate of Alonso's, suggests that Alexander-Arnold may need to adapt his role within the Madrid squad to secure regular playing time under Alonso.
"In Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga, they've got very good players," Hamann, who clinched the 2005 Champions League title alongside the current Los Blancos boss, told esportsbets.com.
"They've got Federico Valverde as well. They always look for a place for him because he plays everywhere.
"Potentially Trent Alexander-Arnold could play in midfield because Xabi Alonso wasn't too happy with him at right-back. Dani Carvajal played and then he got injured in the Champions League. So he will be back, I think, in the next few weeks.
"But it'll be tough because there's competition for places. He hasn't got the standing in Madrid yet that he had in Liverpool, because at Liverpool, many roles fit. He pretty much was certain to play. But there might be an option to get him into the team in midfield."
The 27-year-old Alexander-Arnold, who has been limited to just five outings this campaign, may well encounter a frosty welcome should he feature on Tuesday, considering the controversial nature of his exit.
The England international faced vitriol from substantial portions of the Anfield faithful in May during his initial outing since revealing he wouldn't pen fresh terms with the Reds. That choice ultimately paved the way for his switch to Real Madrid the subsequent month.
Alexander-Arnold, however, received a tremendous ovation during his final bow on the last day of the previous campaign when Liverpool celebrated the club's Premier League triumph.
Speaking to Prime Video ahead of the reunion, he remarked: "Whichever 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 feelings 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. It's mixed emotions. It will be a very, very difficult game, but one that I'm excited for. A huge game and a huge stage to go and try to perform.
"It will be a big difference walking into the away changing room, warming up on the other side, everything will feel a lot different to me."
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