Alexander-Arnold return, Slot selection dilemma - Liverpool vs. Real Madrid pre-match talking points

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Liverpool hosts Real Madrid on Tuesday in one of the most eagerly anticipated Champions League matches of the 2025/26 league phase. There’s also a healthy rivalry that has developed over recent years between Liverpool and Real, who have met in four of the last five Champions League campaigns.

Trent's return Trent Alexander-Arnold’s first Anfield appearance since his acrimonious exit over the summer has dialled the intensity up a notch. Alexander-Arnold is not the only former Champions League-winning Red set to return on Tuesday.

Alexander-Arnold is set to come up against Liverpool for the first time his career (Image: 2025 Getty Images) Vital points on offer Liverpool has amassed six points from the opening three games this season, and a defeat on Tuesday would leave the Reds in a difficult position to secure automatic qualification to the knockout stages. Last term, 16 points were needed to finish in the top eight of the league phase and, should Liverpool lose on Tuesday, it would mean the Premier League champions could only finish on a maximum of 18.