Liverpool's potential return for Trent Alexander-Arnold faces some possible problems, with Jose Mourinho making his thoughts clear on an exit for his Real Madrid defender

Liverpool has been linked with a potential return for Trent Alexander-Arnold in the transfer market, but any move for the defender may now be on hold, with Jose Mourinho seemingly getting involved.

The right-back has been linked with a possible exit from Real Madrid in the transfer market, after a difficult start to life in the Spanish capital. Last season saw the former Reds star struggle to hit the heights, while this season has seen him battle for a place in the starting lineup against new competitors for his position.

With a general lack of game time across all competitions this campaign, early suggestions have appeared that Alexander-Arnold could be looking for a way out from the Bernabeu, which has led to plenty of transfer links. Considering the right-back troubles at his former side Liverpool, links have begun to pick up there, while other Premier League clubs have also been keeping track of a possible deal.

The nature of the transfer interest has varied in reports, with some suggesting that an exit could come as soon as the January transfer window, while others have looked ahead to the summer, where a deal may be more feasible.

However, it seems as though a transfer switch for the winter has seemingly been ruled out, with Jose Mourinho now keen to keep Alexander-Arnold around.

According to Football Insider, the Real Madrid boss has made it clear that he doesn't wish to lose the former Liverpool man, despite the lack of starts he has handed to him.

On top of that, Alexander-Arnold has been described as "determined" to fight for a place in the starting lineup, with little sign yet that he will want to manufacture a move, at least for now.

It remains to be seen whether that stance could change in the future, with plenty of games to come and go before a final decision will ultimately have to be made by all parties.

While it seemingly rules out the possibility of an exit in January, the following summer transfer market could spark change, with it being the time that decisions are often made on the long-term futures of players, as opposed to the short-term. On top of that, it will mark two years of Alexander-Arnold at Real Madrid, giving the star enough of a sample size to evaluate where he is at in the club's standings.

Considering the quality the 28-year-old had shown at Liverpool, his inability to be a regular starter for Los Blancos is something of a surprise, which could ultimately be the main driving factor behind any future decision.

"I want players to feel good," Mourinho recently responded when asked about the possibility of Alexander-Arnold leaving. "When you build a squad with two players per position and you end up playing a third player, that makes me sad, but some things are better for the team."

It certainly sets up an interesting few months ahead for Alexander-Arnold, with Liverpool and a whole host of other teams watching his situation, in case the stance from Real Madrid changes.