Trent Alexander-Arnold set for hostile Liverpool return after Real Madrid confirm injury blow | OneFootball

Real Madrid travel to Anfield next week for a huge Champions League showdown

Trent Alexander-Arnold is in line to start for Real Madrid against former club Liverpool in the Champions League next week.

Alexander-Arnold returned to the Real Madrid squad at the weekend after just over a month on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.

The right-back was an unused substitute as Los Blancos beat Barcelona 2-1 in the first El Clasico of the season, opening up a five point lead at the top of LaLiga in the process.

A statement via the club’s website reads: “Following tests carried out on our captain Dani Carvajal by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with the presence of a loose body in his right knee joint.

“Carvajal will now undergo an arthroscopy.”

According to reports, Carvajal is set to be out of action until January, meaning he will miss his side’s trip to Anfield next Tuesday as well as several other league fixtures.

Dani Carvajal is set to miss Real Madrid’s Champions League tie against Liverpool

AFP via Getty Images

This development does have a big impact on Alexander-Arnold. As the only other senior natural right-back in the Madrid squad at present, he will be an option to start against Liverpool just six months after his departure.

Alternatively, Xabi Alonso can opt to stick with Federico Valverde at full-back as the Uruguayan midfielder has been deputising at right-back recently with both Alexander-Arnold and Carvajal unavailable for selection.

Alexander-Arnold is expected to be given a hostile reception on his return to Anfield after turning down Liverpool's offer of a new contract to secure a free transfer to Madrid.

However, the Reds did manage to secure around £10 million for the defender by releasing him from the final weeks of his deal early so he could play in the Club World Cup earlier in the summer.