Trent Alexander-Arnold was forced off with a hamstring injury, which could impact Real Madrid's upcoming Champions League match against Liverpool.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s return to Anfield has been plunged into doubt.
The right-back controversially left Liverpool at the end of last season when opting to run his contract down. Alexander-Arnold is a homegrown product from the city who supported the Reds as a child.
After making a first-team breakthrough aged 17, he went on to help Liverpool claim seven major trophies - including the Champions League and a second Premier League crown last season. But Alexander-Arnold left under a cloud as he declined a new deal and joined Real Madrid.
Liverpool did manage to bank around £10 million as they allowed the 26-year-old to join the Spanish giants before his contract expired so he could play in the Club World Cup. Yet the figure was a fraction of his true value.
However, Alexander-Arnold’s start to his Real career has not gone straightforward. He has been a substitute for two of their opening four La Liga games, while he was omitted from England’s squad for the international break earlier this month. And now Alexander-Arnold may be set for a spell on the treatment table. In a 2-1 win over Marseille in the Champions League, the full-back was forced off after five minutes with a hamstring injury. It’s the second fitness issue he’s sustained since arriving at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Liverpool face Real in the Champions League on Tuesday 4 November and it remains to be seen whether he will be fit to return. Los Blancos head coach Xabi Alonso said: "We'll wait a bit; maybe it's not as bad as it seems.We have to be creative in finding solutions. Raul Asencio came in well. Eduardo Camavinga and Jude Bellingham
Alexander-Arnold was replaced by Madrid captain Dani Carvajal against Marseille. However, the Spain international will definitely not play against Liverpool in match-day four of the Champions League. Carvajal was given a straight red card in the 72nd minute after he faced off with Geronimo Rulli and moved his head towards the visiting goalkeeper. A VAR review deemed it was violent conduct and Carvajal must serve a three-match suspension.
"The expulsion was avoidable on our part, it’s a shame, and we’ll have to talk about it " said Alonso. "The other thing is what the referee called."