Trent Alexander-Arnold went from Liverpool hero to villain after leaving for Real Madrid last year, with UFC star Paddy Pimblett making his feelings clear on him despite a rumored return

UFC superstar Paddy Pimblett named Trent Alexander-Arnold as one of two soccer players he'd like to fight in the octagon — claiming he'd "knock out" the former Liverpool hero.

Alexander-Arnold spent more than 20 years at Liverpool as a youth player before going on to win the Premier League and Champions League with his hometown team. After a second league title with the club, he opted to leave for Real Madrid in the summer of 2025.

The move has not worked out for Alexander-Arnold, now falling to third-string right-back while spending most of his time sitting on the bench. This has seen Liverpool linked with a sensational move to bring back its former right-back, a position that has been a problem for the club since he left.

In a video that went viral on Wednesday, Pimblett was asked which two soccer players he'd like to fight. He initially named Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, before also adding Alexander-Arnold.

He said: "Bruno Fernandes or Trent Alexander-Arnold... I hate the pair of them, I'd love to knock them out."

Alexander-Anrold is being linked back to Liverpool, being behind both Federico Valverde and Denzel Dumfries in Jose Mourinho's depth chart for the right-back position.

But many fans still hold resentment toward Alexander-Arnold, who was seen as the next Steven Gerrard for the club — a hometown player who could go on to captain the Reds.

Pimblett had strong words for him prior to his exit, when he told TNT Sports: "He's ratted Liverpool. He's done us dirty.

"He always said he wants to be the next Gerrard, wants to captain the club, and then he's left on a free. He's no scouser."

In another interview with Sky Sports, Pimblett commented: "He forgot where he's came from. I'd trade my career in a heartbeat to have his. To win trophies for my city, for my team that I've grown up supporting my entire life. What I'd do for that.

"The money he's earning, the money he's been offered. Just putting a smile on everyone's face in the city.

"I grew up wanting to be Steven Gerrard, wanting to be Fernando Torres, wanting to be Luis Suarez. He's just leaving the club he's grew up and supported and have been there for him his whole life to be another cog in the machine at Madrid.

"He could've been a legend at LFC, he always said he wanted to be captain."