Liverpool urged to consider shock loan move for former star to replace £30m man

Andy Townsend believes Liverpool should not ‘turn their nose up’ at bringing back Trent Alexander-Arnold on loan.

Alexander-Arnold is in the midst of pre-season preparations with Real Madrid as he looks to impress new boss Jose Mourinho.

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However, the 27-year-old faces a fight to lock down a starting berth following Real’s recent acquisition of fellow right-back Denzel Dumfries, who joined from Inter Milan.

Adding to Alexander-Arnold’s battle for selection is the fact Townsend believes Dumfries would ‘no doubt’ fit the mould of a Mourinho-type full-back better than the Liverpudlian.

Townsend: Trent is ‘top, top drawer’

It’s why Townsend believes the Reds should be willing to welcome the defender back to Anfield, even it could cost a loan fee of up to £10million.

“He doesn’t need another season like he had last time,” Townsend said on talkSPORT Breakfast.

“That would have been a big disappointment to him. Secretly, he would have been a little hurt that it never happened, he never really got going and had a few injury issues.

“I think Liverpool should, if they can get any deal done for him on a loan basis for a season, whatever those fees are now, up to £10million for a season, I wouldn’t turn your nose up at that to get that boy back through the door.

“He is top, top drawer.”

Alexander-Arnold’s rocky 12 months

Alexander-Arnold left Liverpool at the end of the 2024/25 campaign to join Real Madrid on a free transfer.

But the manner in which the 27-year-old departed his boyhood club left a sour taste in the mouths of fans, with some going as far as booing him.

However, Los Blancos ended up forking out £10m in compensation to have Alexander-Arnold link up earlier than planned so he could feature for them in the Club World Cup.

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Alexander-Arnold struggled to find his rhythm in the Spanish capital, despite arriving to plenty of acclaim.

A string of muscle-related issues didn’t help either, forcing him to miss 22 games across all competitions for Real last term.

In total, the defender made 35 appearances and registered seven assists.

Alexander-Arnold’s difficult debut season with the Spanish giants was compounded by being left out of the England squad for the World Cup.

Time heals all wounds

Townsend’s call for Liverpool to bring Alexander-Arnold back echoes Angelina Kelly’s verdict on Saturday’s edition of Transfer Insiders.

Speaking on the show, Kelly noted the struggles of £30m man Jeremie Frimpong, who was drafted in as Alexander-Arnold’s replacement, as a key reason why the Reds should leave the door ajar for a sensational return.

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“I think maybe they should cut their losses and just explore the Trent situation,” Kelly said.

“I’m not saying you’ve got to sign him immediately – let’s just explore this. Because Real Madrid have signed another right-back in Denzel Dumfries – that is not good news for Trent.

“So, why can’t everyone just take some ownership…take a bit of accountability and we can all come back together and be happy?”