Trent Alexander-Arnold handed new Liverpool boost at Real Madrid teammate’s expense

Real Madrid have been handed a huge injury blow ahead of their Champions League clash against Liverpool in November and Trent Alexander-Arnold now looks set to start against his old side

Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal will miss his side’s Champions League clash against Liverpool and several other fixtures through injury, meaning Trent Alexander-Arnold could start against Liverpool. The defender will undergo arthroscopy surgery on his right knee, which may sideline him for the rest of 2025.

The Spain international felt discomfort following Madrid’s El Clasico victory over Barcelona on Sunday. Carvajal was a second-half substitute during his side’s 2-1 win, and on Monday morning, he underwent tests to evaluate the injury.

Madrid reportedly believe the right-back’s timeframe of absence will be upwards of six weeks and could sideline him until January 2026. The La Liga giants play Liverpool on November 4. “Following tests carried out on our captain, Dani Carvajal, by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a loose joint in his right knee,” a club statement read on Monday evening.

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“Carvajal will undergo arthroscopy.” Carvajal’s latest setback is the same knee in which he ruptured two ligaments and a tendon in October 2024, which caused him to miss the rest of last season.

The 33-year-old’s injury-enforced absence will also increase the chances of Liverpool academy graduate Trent Alexander-Arnold starting against his former team. The versatile full-back left Anfield to join Madrid in the summer.

Alexander-Arnold has made 10 appearances for Real Madrid so far, but has ultimately endured a mixed start to his time in Spain. The 27-year-old suffered a hamstring injury in the opening moments of his new side’s 2-1 victory over Marseille in the Champions League in mid-September.

It is understood that his recovery from the hamstring issue has been progressing well to date, and he could now face the Reds next month. The England international was included in Madrid’s squad for their clash against Barca over the weekend.

“I’m working on the premise that all the players in the squad can be starters. Then it depends on the mental, tactical, physical aspects. But they can all play,” Madrid boss Xabi Alonso said post-match.

Madrid return to action against Valencia in La Liga on Saturday before their visit to Merseyside three days later.

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