“If he plays then we have to make it very difficult for him” - Van Dijk on facing Trent during Liverpool vs Real Madrid

Liverpool skipper Virgil van Dijk has opened up on facing Trent Alexander-Arnold when the Reds host Real Madrid. Arne Slot's side will face Los Blancos on Tuesday, November 3 in the league phase of the Champions League.

Alexander-Arnold caused plenty of backlash by leaving his boyhood club for Real Madrid in the summer. He saw out his contract at Anfield and looked set to leave on a free transfer. However, Los Blancos paid a £10 million fee to bring him in in time to feature in the Club World Cup in the United States.

It will be interesting to see the kind of reception the England international would get when he travels to Anfield as an opposition player for the first time in his career. Virgil van Dijk has opened up on his former deputy's return to the club as a Real Madrid player. He said, via the Liverpool Echo:

"Let's see [what the reception is]. I'm not going to say [I want a hostile atmosphere]. I'm not going to comment on that. Do you (the press) want it to be hostile? I think he's been outstanding in his time in Liverpool and that's the only thing I can say. Have I spoke to him since the move? Not much, no. Nothing personal whatsoever, obviously I live my life and he lives his life in Madrid."

The Dutchman added:

"I think Trent is a quality player. He showed it so many times, he's a very gifted player and he was important for us over all those years. I was very happy to have him in my team. We have been very successful, but now he's an opponent on Tuesday. If he plays then we have to make it very difficult for him to do what he's good at."

Alexander-Arnold came through Liverpool's esteemed youth ranks and represented the club on 354 occasions. He scored 23 goals and provided 92 assists for the Reds and won eight trophies with his boyhood club.

The creative full-back has not quite been able to set the world alight following his move to Real Madrid. He has played just five times for Los Blancos so far and has struggled with injury problems.

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Trent Alexander-Arnold names three Liverpool players who laughed with him when fixture against Real Madrid was confirmed

Trent Alexander-Arnold has revealed that three of his former Liverpool teammates laughed with him when the Reds were drawn against Real Madrid. The Reds will host Los Blancos at Anfield on Tuesday, November 4, which will see Alexander-Arnold return to Anfield as an opposition player.

Alexander-Arnold is very much expected to receive a hostile welcome from the fans when he returns to his boyhood club. Ahead of the game, the Englishman told Prime Video Sport:

“I think when the draw was announced, I think everyone kind of knew it was going to happen. It was destined for that fixture to come. Obviously, they are a top team. I knew at some stage, at some point, I’d end up going back there or playing against Liverpool either here or there. And it’s happening so soon. So, yeah, mixed emotions. I think it will be a very difficult game, but one that I’m excited for—a huge game on a huge stage. To go and try and perform."

He added:

“Yeah. I spoke to Robbo, Mo and Ibou (after the draw). We were just laughing because everybody knew it was going to happen. You got to put emotions aside and play the best football game that you can.”

Alexander-Arnold spent 20 years at Liverpool and was a key part of the club's success in the last few years. He has, however, failed to establish himself as a regular starter at Real Madrid so far.

Edited by Snehanjan Banerjee