Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to experience Anfield from the sidelines as he makes his first appearance with Real Madrid, having been left out of the starting lineup by manager Xabi Alonso. The former Liverpool defender, who transferred to the Spanish giants for £10 million over the summer, will not start against his old team in this highly anticipated matchup.

Anticipation surrounds Alexander-Arnold’s return, with the 26-year-old bracing for a frosty reception from Liverpool supporters. The home crowd’s reaction will be something he observes from the bench, as Alonso has chosen to deploy Fede Valverde in his spot, continuing the strategy used in last weekend’s El Clasico.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid will have to cope without their Spanish veteran, who will remain out of action until January. He sustained an injury against Barcelona, diagnosed as a loose joint in his knee, sidelining him for a significant period.

The potential tension at Anfield was evident even before the match, as a mural celebrating Alexander-Arnold’s achievements with Liverpool was vandalized. White paint was splattered over the image of the defender in his iconic No. 66 Liverpool jersey, signaling the mixed emotions surrounding his return.

A sign of the potential hostile atmosphere that lies ahead at Anfield came well before kick-off, when a mural dedicated to Alexander-Arnold’s triumphs at Liverpool was defaced. 

Trent Alexander-Arnold will start his long-awaited return to Anfield from the Real Madrid bench

But he was all smiles ahead of kick-off as he greeted his former team-mates – and new rivals – like Dominik Szoboszlai

White paint was thrown over the depiction of Alexander-Arnold in his former No 66 Liverpool shirt.

The words ‘Adios El Rata’ – ‘Goodbye Rat’ – have also been written on the mural, along with three further statements declaring their former star to be a ‘rat’.

The mural, which is painted onto a house on Sybil Road near the Liverpool ground, received deep cleaning ahead of kick-off, with only the faintest hints of the slogans visible as night fell on Merseyside. 

It marked the third time Alexander-Arnold’s mural has been vandalised, with ‘Rat’ having been painted on prior to his final appearance for Liverpool back in May. 

Alexander-Arnold stressed that whatever reception he does receive from his former fans, his feelings for the club will not change. 

‘Whatever way I’m received, is the decision of the fans,’ Alexander-Arnold told Amazon Prime.

‘I’ll always love the club, I’ll always be a fan of the club. I’ll always be thankful for the opportunities and the things we achieved together, they’ll live with me forever.

‘No matter what, my feelings won’t change towards Liverpool. I’ve got memories there that will last me a lifetime, and no matter how I’m received, that won’t change.’

Tensions are expected to be high at the Liverpool ground ahead of his return, with his mural defaced earlier this week

Last night however all thoughts were on Diogo Jota as Alexander-Arnold left flowers in tribute

His former manager Arne Slot was similarly unruffled by thoughts of boos levelled at Alexander-Arnold, maintaining that he sees his former player as he always did. 

‘I can only tell you what kind of reception he will get from me,’ said Slot when asked on potential boos from fans. ‘I have great memories of the player and the human being.

‘He was my vice-captain last season and I have memories of working with him which were only positive and have memories from watching him on television which were only positive as well – I can remember multiple great moments of his in a Liverpool shirt.

‘He will get a warm welcome from me. Let’s first wait and see if he is on the pitch tomorrow. With the fans, I have no clue how that’s going to be but he gets a warm welcome from me, that’s for sure.’

Upon his return to Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold took part in a small poignant ceremony paying tribute to his former team-mate, the late Diogo Jota. 

His manager, Liverpool icon Alonso laid a wreath at Jota’s memorial on behalf of Real Madrid, while Alexander-Arnold left his own bouquet of flowers, with a handwritten note, and a red PlayStation controller in honour of his love of video games. 

‘My mate Diogo. You are so missed but still so loved,’ the message read. ‘Yours and Andre’s memory will always live on.

‘I smile every time I think about you and will always remember the great times we shared.

‘Miss you mate, every day. Love Trent and family. Forever 20. YNWA.’