Slot promises warm reception for Alexander-Arnold on Anfield return

Arne Slot is preparing to give Trent Alexander-Arnold a warm welcome when he returns to Anfield with Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Alexander-Arnold left Liverpool at the end of last season, opting to let his contract expire, before moving to Madrid for a reported £8.4m in June, in time to play at the Club World Cup.

However, he received criticism for the manner of his exit, and in his last appearances for Liverpool, was booed by some parts of the Liverpool faithful.

Alexander-Arnold made 354 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions after coming through their academy and enjoyed huge success with his boyhood club.

In his nine years with the Reds, the right-back won two Premier League titles, the FA Cup, the EFL Cup, the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and the Club World Cup.

He is set to endure a mixed reception on his return, but Slot had only positive things to say about the England international.

“I can only tell you what kind of reception he gets from me. I only have good memories from him as a player and as a human being,” Slot said.

@TrentAA pic.twitter.com/SUzXS7JZzw

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) November 2, 2025

“I have memories of working with him that are only positive, and memories of watching him when I’m in front of the TV, and they are only positive. I can remember multiple great moments of him in a Liverpool shirt.

“He will get a warm welcome from me. Let’s see if he is on the pitch and then how the fans react. I’ve no clue, but he gets a warm welcome from me, that’s for sure.”

Ryan Gravenberch, who played alongside Alexander-Arnold for two seasons, echoed his head coach’s sentiments and is looking forward to seeing the 27-year-old again.

“From the fans, I don’t know, but he’s obviously a friend of mine, so I will give him a hug, of course,” Gravenberch said.

“Not a lot of messages, but I’ll see him [on Tuesday].”