This week’s Champions League matchup invites Real Madrid on a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool. Los Blancos look unstoppable as they took revenge over their biggest rivals Barcelona in the El Clasico last month, as the hosts are recovering from a run of poor form across all competitions, setting up a potentially feisty affair between the two.
This meeting will be their fifth tie in five years as Liverpool ended a hot streak of losses against Real Madrid, in a 2-0 victory over then manager Carlo Ancelotti’s side. Cody Gakpo and Alexis Mac Allister were featured on the score sheet as both Kylian Mbappe and Mohammed Salah failed to convert from the penalty spot.
Why This Meeting Is Special
Fans will bear witness to 3 reunions when these two sides clash in the midweek as former Bournemouth teammates Milos Kirkez and Dean Huijsen face each other for the first time since their transfers to Liverpool and Real Madrid, respectively.
The former Cherries players stood out from the rest in the Bournemouth squad that surprised the Premier League by defeating Man United, Tottenham, Man City and completing the double over Arsenal (winning both home and away games in the league).
The Hungarian international was picked up by current champions, Liverpool, as a long term replacement for Scottish National Team captain, Andy Robertson, while the Spanish international was a season long desire for Real Madrid, who had strong intent to bolster their defence.
Former Liverpool player, Xabi Alonso returns to Anfield as a manager for a second season in a row, but this time in different colours. The 2010 World Cup winner took on his former club when his Bayer Leverkusen side visited Anfield last season where the home team brushed past them in an emphatic 4-0 victory.
The story is different this time around as the former Real Madrid player took on the role of head coach for Los Blancos, having made a statement to other European clubs by defeating Barcelona 2-1 in the El-Clasico last month. Alonso’s Madrid side have been dangerously good this season losing only 1 game this season, across all competitions.
Xabi Alonso played a pivotal role in the 2005 UCL Final, often dubbed as ‘The Miracle of Istanbul’, against AC Milan, which is regarded as one of the most iconic comebacks in the history of football.
At half-time, Liverpool trailed 3-0 after a goal from Paolo Maldini and a brace by Hernan Crespo. The Reds’ midfield was over-run by the Brazilian magician, Kaka. The Reds eventually turned their fates around as Xabi Alonso scored the equaliser to make it 3-3 through a rebound after his penalty was initially saved. At just 23, Alonso stepped up to take one of the most crucial and nerve-racking penalties a player could take.
His career in the English top flight saw him win the UEFA Super Cup with Liverpool in 2005, followed by the FA Cup and FA Community Shield in 2006.
Finally, the reunion that will attract the attention of the footballing world will be the return of Liverpool’s very own, Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The story began at the age of six, as Trent rose through the ranks of Liverpool’s academy to eventually become a key first-team player. Over time, the former no.66 made more than 350 appearances for his club, scoring and assisting numerous times as he went on to win every single trophy available to him at club level. Despite his success and a guaranteed first team role under new manager Arne Slot, the academy graduate chose not to renew his contract from the 25/26 season.
Real Madrid were in the market for a long term successor for current club captain and right-back Dani Carvajal, and for a fee of £10M, Los Blancos got their man.
Since Trent’s contract was due to expire on June 31, 2025, the Spanish side paid a fee of £10M to register him as a Real Madrid player in time for the FIFA Club World Cup, earlier this summer.
During his unveiling, Alexander-Arnold expressed that the transfer was nothing short of a “dream come true.”
Speaking fluently in Spanish throughout the presentation, he showcased not only his professionalism but also his willingness to embrace the culture and values of his new club. The move marked the conclusion of an extraordinary 20-year chapter at Liverpool, a period that spanned nearly half of the England international’s life.
Leaving his boyhood club sparked a wave of mixed emotions among supporters. Many fans expressed heartfelt gratitude for his immense contribution and his instrumental role in helping Liverpool secure every major honour during his time at Anfield.
Yet, Madrid’s new No. 12 also faced backlash from sections of the fanbase, who viewed his departure with anger and disappointment, as he chose to leave the club he had called home since childhood for one of Liverpool’s fiercest rivals on the global stage.
Although he’s returned from a hamstring injury, which the 28 year-old sustained in Madrid’s opening UCL game against Marseille in September, he is yet to feature in an actual game. This indicates that the chances of the former Red starting the game are thin.
As we wait for the team news, one thing is for sure that Trent Alexander-Arnold’s return to Anfield can prove to be a feisty affair.
