Trent Alexander-Arnold was quick to react after learning that he will be returning to Anfield with Real Madrid in the Champions League league phase after Los Blancos were drawn against Liverpool.
Last season, Real Madrid endured a disappointing European campaign, crashing out in the quarter-finals after a 5-1 aggregate defeat to Arsenal, leaving them without silverware.
Under new manager Xabi Alonso, Madrid will once again face Premier League opposition in this year’s expanded eight-match, 36-team group stage. Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are set to visit the Santiago Bernabéu, while Liverpool will welcome Los Blancos to Anfield.
The two sides also clashed at Anfield during last season’s league phase, where goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo sealed a 2-0 win for the Reds. On that night, Alexander-Arnold was included in Liverpool’s squad but remained on the bench.
It is not yet known when exactly Alexander-Arnold will make his first return to Anfield, as fixture dates and kick-off times are still to be confirmed.
Nevertheless, the 26-year-old reacted swiftly to the draw, sharing a graphic of Madrid’s upcoming fixtures on his Instagram story within minutes of the announcement.
2025/26 Champions League – League Phase Fixtures
Liverpool’s opponents
- Real Madrid (home)
- Inter Milan (away)
- Atlético Madrid (home)
- Eintracht Frankfurt (away)
- PSV Eindhoven (home)
- Marseille (away)
- Qarabag (home)
- Galatasaray (away)
Real Madrid’s opponents
- Manchester City (home)
- Liverpool (away)
- Juventus (home)
- Benfica (away)
- Marseille (home)
- Olympiakos (away)
- Monaco (home)
- Kairat Almaty (away)
2025/26 Champions League – Key Dates
- Matchday 1: 16–18 September 2025
- Matchday 2: 30 September–1 October 2025
- Matchday 3: 21–22 October 2025
- Matchday 4: 4–5 November 2025
- Matchday 5: 25–26 November 2025
- Matchday 6: 9–10 December 2025
- Matchday 7: 20–21 January 2026
- Matchday 8: 28 January 2026
