The return of Trent Alexander-Arnold to Anfield was nothing like the emotional, nostalgic night many imagined when the full-back left his boyhood club last summer. In his first match back in Liverpool wearing the Real Madrid shirt, the former local hero was met with a storm of whistles that echoed throughout the stadium. The tension that had been building for days — insults, criticism, and even the vandalization of his mural — became palpable the moment he stepped onto the pitch.

The English defender entered in the 82nd minute, replacing Arda Güler, during the closing stretch of the game in which Real Madrid fell 1-0 to Liverpool. It marked his first appearance at Anfield since his last match with the Reds in the 2024-25 campaign against Crystal Palace, a farewell shaped by his decision not to renew his contract and instead embrace a new challenge at the Santiago Bernabéu.

A Controversial Departure That Lit the Fuse

Although Alexander-Arnold left as a free agent, Liverpool ultimately received €10 million to release him early and allow him to play in the FIFA Club World Cup with Real Madrid. To some supporters, the move felt like betrayal; to others, it was simply the end of an era.

Either way, the Anfield atmosphere made one thing clear: the frustration hadn’t faded.

Bellingham Steps In: “It Doesn’t Reflect How They Truly Feel About Him”

After the match, it was Jude Bellingham who chose to calm the storm. The English midfielder — a teammate of Alexander-Arnold both at Madrid and with the national team — defended him with a composed and empathetic message in an interview with Amazon Prime:

“It’s one of those things in football. The boos don’t reflect how they really feel about him. I think it’s more about giving their team an advantage and trying to throw him off. I’m sure they appreciate what he did for the club. It’s part of the game,” said the Madrid star.

His words arrive at a delicate time for Alexander-Arnold, who is still adjusting to Real Madrid’s demands while facing the emotional fallout from the supporters who once idolized him.

A Bitter Night for Madrid, but a Historic One for Bellingham

Liverpool sealed the win through Alexis Mac Allister in the 61st minute. Yet despite the loss, Bellingham reached a milestone that won’t go unnoticed.
At 22 years and 128 days, he became the youngest player ever to reach 50 Champions League matches, surpassing the record previously held by Iker Casillas, along with benchmarks tied to stars like Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé.

Since joining Real Madrid in 2023, the midfielder has exceeded every expectation. He scored in his first four Champions League appearances, played a decisive role in the 2023-24 title run under Carlo Ancelotti, and joined a select list of Madrid players who scored on their debuts in both LaLiga and the Champions League — alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, Isco, and Marco Asensio.

Amid the noise surrounding Alexander-Arnold’s return, Bellingham once again showed leadership: not only on the pitch, but also far beyond it.