Trent Alexander-Arnold is firmly out of favor at Real Madrid, leading to rumors of a return to Liverpool, although Kyle Walker believes he may have to take a different option

Kyle Walker has told Trent Alexander-Arnold he may not be able to return to Liverpool, and has even suggested Manchester United may be one of his only options for a return to the Premier League.

Alexander-Arnold has been linked with a move back to Anfield, with his move to Real Madrid not working out. After an injury-hit first season led to him making just 30 appearances across all competitions, the 28-year-old now finds himself out of favor under returning manager Jose Mourinho.

The former Liverpool vice-captain has played second fiddle to summer signing Denzel Dumfries for most of the season, and has even been snubbed when the Netherlands international has not been picked to start at right-back.

Some pundits have suggested that a return to the Reds might be Alexander-Arnold’s best option, although Walker - who was his long-time rival for the right-back spot with England - isn’t so sure.

Alexander-Arnold’s exit from Anfield left a bitter taste for a lot of Liverpool fans, with the academy graduate having let his contract run down and announced his exit before the end of the 2024/25 campaign. A subsequent visit in the Champions League with Real last season saw him roundly booed by supporters, and Walker feels there may be no way back for him.

The former Manchester City defender is keen to see him back in the Premier League though, telling talkSPORT: "Why not?

"Can he go back to Liverpool with the way that he left? I'm not too sure.

"Do I see him at another club? He's got to go to one of the big ones: Manchester United, Man City."

Walker did go on to admit he couldn’t see Alexander-Arnold making the move to Old Trafford, given the rivalry between Liverpool and United. With his time at the Bernabeu hitting a new low this week though, he may have to consider his future very soon.

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Alexander-Arnold was left on the bench for Real’s Champions League encounter with RB Leipzig on Wednesday, despite Dumfries not starting, with Fede Valverde instead starting at right-back. Mourinho decided against calling him from the bench, marking the third straight game in which he has failed to make an appearance, and the sixth time already this season.

"I am surprised, but I'm not surprised,” Walker said when asked about Alexander-Arnold’s lack of game time.

"I feel that the way Trent played for Liverpool was very special. I feel some of the things that he did, being a boy of club, loving the club as much as he did and having Mo Salah in front of you helps an enormous amount.

"I played with Riyad [Mahrez]. I probably wouldn't be the player that I am today if Riyad wasn't as good as he was."