Arnold in line for Liverpool return after suffers injury blow

Trent Alexander-Arnold could start against Liverpool on his first return to Anfield after leaving his boyhood club this summer.

The right back made the decision to call time on an illustrious spell at the Reds after receiving long-term overtures from the LaLiga side, eventually joining the club for £10million after Real Madrid agreed to pay the Merseyside outfit to secure him before his contract ran out on June 30.

But since joining Los Blancos, Alexander-Arnold has been unable to hit the ground running due to being hampered by hamstring injury, coming off in Real Madrid's Champions League opener against Marseille in September after just three minutes.

Since then, Alexander-Arnold has been working his way back to full fitness, and was able only to warm the bench during his first Clasico on Sunday evening, with midfielder Fede Valverde and Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal preferred in the position.

The 26-year-old could however book just his third start at his new club sooner than he may have anticipated, with the club announcing that Carval is set to undergo surgery after picking up an injury himself during the Barcelona clash.

The veteran Spain international underwent tests on Monday after feeling something during the match, and has since been diagnosed with a loose join in his right knee.

As per the club, Carvajal will now undergo arthroscopy, a type of keyhole surgery, and is not thought to be available for Xabi Alonso until the start of next year.

This in turn could force the manager to consider Alexander-Arnold for their next Champions League clash, when the side travel to Merseyside on November 4.

Returning to familiar territory might prove somewhat uncomfortable for the England international, with Alexander-Arnold previously booed when introduced as a substitute against Arsenal in May after announcing his decision to leave.

Alexander-Arnold's 20-year legacy in Liverpool is complicated by the low fee he garnered with his exit, as well as its under-wraps nature.

Fans went as far to suggest that Alexander-Arnold had been learning Spanish for some time, after the full back gave a short speech in the language at his unveiling.

But Alexander-Arnold's on-pitch record remains indisputable, with the star helping Liverpool to claim two Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy among other honours.

Alonso previously outlined that both Carvajal and Alexander-Arnold would have to be prepared to fight for the position.

'Fortunately, we have healthy competition within the team, and they're challenged internally because there are team-mates who are ready,' Alonso previously said.

'It also happens in other positions, like centre back or winger. Whoever deserves it will play; it's going to be very repetitive all year.'