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Trent Alexander-Arnold warms up ahead of Liverpool vs Real Madrid at Anfield on November 27, 2024 in Liverpool, England.(Image: Michael Regan - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)

Trent Alexander-Arnold insisted he would be back at Liverpool one day when confirming his decision to leave the club at the end of his contract.

The Reds vice-captain is expected to join Real Madrid on a free transfer after opting against signing an extension with his boyhood club.

“The love I have for this club will never leave.



“I’d love one day to be able to bring my kids to Anfield and show them that that’s where I’ve played and show them the videos and highlights of what we were able to achieve together.”

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But while Alexander-Arnold might already be dreaming about returning to Liverpool as a fan one day, he could make a comeback as an opponent even sooner.

Should the England international join Real Madrid, as expected, it is possible that he could find himself facing off against his soon-to-be former side in next season’s Champions League.

The Reds hosted the La Liga giants in the inaugural edition of the revamped league phase, with Arne Slot’s side running out 2-0 winners back in November.

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Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield on April 27, 2025 (Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

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Both sides were seeded in pot one last summer and while that would have previously kept them apart until the knock-out stages, teams face two sides from each of the four pots in the new format.

Consequently, there is nothing stopping Liverpool from being drawn against Real Madrid again - either at Anfield or the Bernabeu - in next season’s league phase.

Both sides have already secured their place in the 2025/26 edition of the Champions League, and look set to be seeded in pot one once again due to their current UEFA coefficient scores.

The league phase draw for the next season’s Champions League will take place in Monaco on August 28.

And while Liverpool will have to wait until then to find out their eight opponents, the dates for next season’s league phase matches have already been confirmed - setting up when a potential Alexander-Arnold reunion with the Reds could possibly take place.

Matchday one will take place between Tuesday 16 September and Thursday 18 September, with matchday two following two weeks later on Tuesday 30 September and Wednesday 1 October.

Matchday three is scheduled for Tuesday 21 October and Wednesday 22 October, with there then being another fortnight’s break before matchday four on Tuesday 4 November and Wednesday 5 November.

Later that month, matchday five will take place on Tuesday 25 November and Wednesday 26 November, before matchday six falls on Tuesday 9 December and Wednesday 10 December.

The final two gameweeks are then scheduled for successive weeks in January 2026, with matchday seven taking place on Tuesday 20 January and Wednesday 21 January.

The league phase will then conclude with gameweek eight on Wednesday 28 January.

Of course, it is by no means guaranteed that Liverpool will be drawn against Real Madrid in the league phase.

But following its conclusion, they will then have a better idea of if and when they could then face the La Liga giants in the knockout stages with final league phase position dictating which side of the draw each side then finds themselves.

Liverpool and Real Madrid have been regular foes in the Champions League in recent years, facing off seven times in the past seven years - including in two finals.

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With UEFA controversially implementing the new revamped league phase last year in a bid to set up more meetings between the continent’s elite sides, the stage is set for the Reds and Los Merengues to face off again in the future.

As a result, Alexander-Arnold will no doubt have an even closer eye on every future Champions League draw as the possibility of a future showdown with Liverpool awaits.


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