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Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer are the latest pundits to give their thoughts on Trent Alexander-Arnold as speculation of a return to Liverpool grows.
The Reds’ former vice-captain has been linked with a move back to Anfield as his frustrations continue at Real Madrid. Alexander-Arnold looks to have fallen firmly out of favor with Jose Mourinho, with his misery being compounded further this week by the returning manager.
Having had to play backup to Denzel Dumfries for much of this season so far, Alexander-Arnold was overlooked completely for Real’s Champions League game against RB Leipzig on Wednesday despite the Dutchman also being named on the bench, with Fede Valverde instead preferred at right-back.
The 28-year-old has now been left on the bench by Mourinho for Los Blancos’ last three games, and he has only appeared in half of the club’s 12 games so far this season, starting just four times in that period.
After his first season was hit by injury problems, leading to him making just 30 appearances across all competitions, it certainly seems as though Alexander-Arnold’s move to Spain is not working out, with rumors already emerging that he could look to leave the Bernabeu soon.
That has led to speculation that he could look to return to his boyhood club, having only left Liverpool last year. That prospect was discussed on the latest episode of The Rest Is Football, with Lineker and Shearer talking up the potential for Alexander-Arnold’s return.
While discussing Liverpool’s win over Villarreal on Tuesday, Lineker began: "You mentioned [Ryan] Gravenberch went back to right-back. They've not quite replaced Trent, but there are a few rumors.
“He's not really getting much of a look in with Mourinho at Madrid at present. There are a few rumors that the boy Alexander-Arnold might go back.”
Shearer responded: "That would be interesting, really interesting, wouldn't it?"
Lineker then gave his approval, concluding: “I think they’d take him back.”
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A return to Liverpool for Alexander-Arnold is becoming an increasing talking point, although not everyone is as certain as Lineker that the club’s supporters would welcome the academy graduate back.
Alexander-Arnold’s departure last year left a bitter taste for a lot of fans, having run down his contract before announcing his departure before the end of the 2024/25 season, and former Manchester City star Kyle Walker believes he may have to look elsewhere if he is to return to the Premier League.
"Can he go back to Liverpool with the way that he left? I'm not too sure,” Walker told talkSPORT.
"Do I see him at another club? He's got to go to one of the big ones: Manchester United, Man City."