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Trent Alexander-Arnold will not be leaving Real Madrid in January despite speculation linking him with a return to Liverpool, it's been claimed. The England full-back has struggled for regular first-team football under Jose Mourinho, casting doubt over his long-term prospects in the Spanish capital. Liverpool are stretched thin at full-back following Conor Bradley's long-term injury, with Jeremie Frimpong also joining the treatment table after picking up a hamstring problem against Brentford. Transfer speculation has fuelled talk of an unexpected comeback for the former Liverpool hometown hero.
Alexander-Arnold departed Anfield for the Bernabeu in 2025 in a contentious switch that earned him a hostile reception from supporters during the final weeks of their title-winning season. His time in Spain has been blighted by injury thus far, and this campaign he has mustered just seven appearances, including a one-minute cameo against Barcelona last weekend.
Nevertheless, a January departure remains highly unlikely according to Guillem Balague. He said: "No, not in January. What he's feeling right now is, 'Okay, it's not my time, but it will be my time, I will prepare for my time.' That's how he's taking the whole thing.
"But there are two ahead of him in the same position (Valverde and Dumfries) and in fact, Eder Militao was also used as a right-back against Sevilla. So is he fourth choice? He's certainly third it seems.
"But he's not down, he's been told by Mourinho to keep at it, he will have his moment. It's been unfair that when he has played from the start, he has played in the midfield because of the absentees. But in any case, he's got to keep fighting and he wants to succeed at Real Madrid, so he's got no intention of leaving."
Alexander-Arnold's chances of selection were further complicated by the signing of Denzel Dumfries from Inter Milan. The Dutch right-back arrived with Los Blancos seeking to strengthen their defensive ranks.
Yet even Dumfries has encountered restricted opportunities, albeit securing more playing time than the Englishman, as Fede Valverde has become a reliable choice for Mourinho.
Alexander-Arnold has been named amongst the substitutes six times this campaign and Sunday's omission from the starting XI for the 28-year-old marked the fourth consecutive overlooking by the former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur manager.
Balague's assessment suggests room for the ex-Liverpool man to force his way into Mourinho's plans, yet the initial signs point towards an uphill struggle to claim regular status.
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