Iraola says Alexander-Arnold could fix Liverpool’s right‑back problem

Andoni Iraola has been told why Trent Alexander‑Arnold would be the perfect answer to Liverpool’s right‑back problems, as speculation intensifies over a possible return to Anfield from Real Madrid. The 27‑year‑old’s contract still runs for four years of a six‑year deal signed at the Bernabéu.

From Anfield to the Bernabéu

Alexander‑Arnold left his boyhood club Liverpool last summer when his contract expired, joining the Spanish club Real Madrid in what was described at the time as the worst‑kept secret in football. Supporters were shocked to see a player once rated at £90m leave for nothing, although the Reds later claimed a €10m (£8.6m) fee after registering him early ahead of the Club World Cup.

The departure left a bitter taste among many fans, who felt the club had lost a valuable commodity without adequate compensation. The €10m fee, however, was presented by Liverpool as a modest return for a player whose market value had been inflated by his England reputation.

Struggles at Real Madrid

Alexander‑Arnold’s debut season in LaLiga proved difficult, with Real Madrid changing managers and finishing the campaign trophyless. Injuries limited his impact and he was described as looking “like a rabbit caught in the headlights” when opportunities arose.

Under Jose Mourinho, his prospects dimmed further after the summer signing of Denzel Dumfries, who quickly became the first‑choice right‑back. Iraola has since experimented by deploying Ronald Araujo at right‑back, a temporary fix that has not quelled speculation about a possible exit and return to Anfield.

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Calls for a Liverpool return

Former England manager Sam Allardyce told the No Tippy Tappy podcast: “At 27, Trent still has years ahead of him. This is his prime. He’s at Real Madrid, and his experience there should stand him in good stead to be even better than he was when he left Liverpool, even though he hasn’t played as often as he would’ve liked.”

Allardyce added that if Alexander‑Arnold does not secure regular minutes, “he should come back to the Premier League – Liverpool could do with him back.” He praised the Englishman’s ability to open opposition defences with both short and long passes.

Mohamed Salah also spoke openly about the impact of the right‑back’s departure: “There’s never been an exit that bothers me like his. He was a pivot in the team, delivering the ball to the right place at the right time. Without his passing, the whole squad feels the loss.”

With a four‑year window remaining on his six‑year contract, the future of Alexander‑Arnold at Real Madrid remains uncertain, and both Iraola’s tactical fix and the public endorsements from Allardyce and Salah add weight to the growing rumour that the LIVERPOOL board may soon act.