Mourinho Pushes Alexander-Arnold Toward Liverpool Exit

Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Trent Alexander-Arnold’s switch to Real Madrid could be cut short after barely 18 months, with the Englishman now sitting third in the manager’s pecking order at right-back.

Mourinho acted fast during the summer window, signing Denzel Dumfries from Inter Milan to add competition on the right flank. That move has pushed Alexander-Arnold further down the list than most expected.

During Sunday’s La Liga trip to face Sevilla, with Dumfries unavailable, the 28-year-old stayed on the bench for the entire match, his second straight game without a single minute on the pitch. Instead of turning to another specialist right-back, Mourinho moved Federico Valverde into the role, despite the midfielder’s clear discomfort playing there.

Trent likely hoped a managerial change over the summer would turn things around in the Spanish capital. The opposite has happened since his €10 million exit from Liverpool in June 2025, a transfer completed just ahead of the Club World Cup.

His career now risks stalling completely unless he engineers a January exit, ideally back to Anfield. Liverpool’s own defensive issues add weight to that scenario. The club is separately competing with Barcelona for young defender Jeltsch, a sign of how urgently reinforcements are needed at the back.

Trent has started only three of 11 games this season. Dropping behind Dumfries in the rotation was one thing to accept. Watching Mourinho hand the right-back role to a converted midfielder sends a far clearer message that the Portuguese manager does not see him as part of his plans.

Real Madrid’s Pecking Order Problem

Alexander-Arnold arrived at the Bernabeu with heavy expectations attached to his passing range and set-piece delivery. Now he trails both a natural full-back in Dumfries and an emergency option in Valverde. For a player once regarded among Europe’s most progressive attacking defenders, slipping to third choice marks a dramatic fall.

Why Liverpool Fits Better Than Anywhere Else

With his Real Madrid future looking shaky, a return to Liverpool stands out as the most sensible path forward. This isn’t pure nostalgia. SciSports’ Career Advice tool, which rates potential destinations on development, playing time, tactical style and formation fit, scores Liverpool at 86 for Alexander-Arnold, his highest mark of any club.

That places Liverpool ahead of Aston Villa (82), PSG (80), Manchester City (76) and Arsenal (76).

Old Wounds, New Circumstances

Alexander-Arnold was once a fixture adored on the Kop. His reception on returning to Anfield in Champions League colors last season told a different story. He was booed by a crowd that felt betrayed.

Fans had grown frustrated by his repeated denials of contact with Real Madrid, only for him to surface at the Bernabeu months later speaking fluent Spanish after a long stretch of transfer speculation. That history still lingers around any talk of a reunion.

Burying the hatchet suits both sides now. Liverpool had pegged Jeremie Frimpong as the long-term answer at right-back, but he has struggled defensively, and Conor Bradley remains sidelined with a long-term injury. Amid that crisis, a reunion with Alexander-Arnold looks like a deal that solves problems on both ends, provided old grievances can be set aside.

Read also: Mourinho Keeps Faith in Bernardo Silva Despite Rocky Real Madrid Start

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