Owen: Alexander-Arnold can return to Liverpool, but doubts remain

Liverpool has been urged to re-sign Alexander-Arnold this summer, and Owen has joined the chorus, though he remains doubtful about the feasibility of a return.

Owen has also joined the growing number of voices supporting Alexander-Arnold's return to Liverpool, although the former striker believes there would still be an issue if he were to rejoin his boyhood club. Liverpool are facing calls to re-sign the former vice-captain, as Alexander-Arnold's first season at Real Madrid has not gone smoothly. Injuries hampered his debut campaign at the Bernabéu, where he made only 30 appearances in all competitions, with just 14 La Liga starts. He was subsequently left out of England's World Cup squad by Tuchel.

With José Mourinho's return as coach this summer, Alexander-Arnold's position at Real Madrid seems even more under threat. Dumfries has already joined from Inter, increasing competition for the right-back spot, and Alexander-Arnold's chances of making it into the Real Madrid squad for the new season are not strong, leading some commentators to suggest he should return to Anfield. Since Alexander-Arnold's departure, Liverpool's season has also not been ideal. With just over two weeks until the start of the 2026/27 season, Liverpool appears to have limited options at right-back. Owen knows what it means to leave Liverpool for Real Madrid, although he did not return to Anfield after leaving the Bernabéu in 2005. He believes a return to Merseyside might be the right move for Alexander-Arnold.

Owen said: "I don't see why not. He's so familiar with the club, he wouldn't need time to adapt, he's a world-class player, and Liverpool now have a new manager, so he could fit into the team's plans very well. He would be a great addition to the club." However, Owen also expressed concerns about the right-back's potential return. He added: "People always say never go back, so that might be the only question. And a lot of noise outside the club might mean he himself doesn't want to go back. But in my opinion, he should certainly return to Liverpool. He has won everything and can still perform well again."

Re-signing Alexander-Arnold is certainly appealing, as Liverpool appears to have only one fit first-team right-back for the new season, and Frimpong has not yet convinced many people. However, his return to Anfield would be difficult, especially given the manner of his departure – not to mention that leaving Real Madrid after only a year would almost amount to an admission that his original decision was completely wrong. We do not believe he will actively try to leave Real Madrid this summer, and even if the Spanish club sometimes acts very decisively, it is hard to expect them to sell him quickly.

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