Trent Alexander-Arnold set for Liverpool reunion after major development

Real Madrid's captain, Dani Carvajal, is set to miss the Champions League showdown against Liverpool and several other matches due to an injury, paving the way for Trent Alexander-Arnold to potentially reunite with his former club on the pitch. The Spanish defender is scheduled to have arthroscopy surgery on his right knee, which could put him out of action for the remainder of 2025.

The Spanish international experienced discomfort after Madrid's El Clasico triumph over Barcelona on Sunday. Having come on as a second-half substitute during the 2-1 victory, Carvajal underwent medical tests on Monday morning to assess the extent of the injury.

It is believed that the right-back could be absent for more than six weeks, possibly sidelining him until January 2026. The La Liga titans are due to face 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," read a statement from the club on Monday evening. "Carvajal will undergo arthroscopy."

This latest setback involves the same knee in which Carvajal suffered two ligament ruptures and a tendon tear in October 2024, causing him to miss the rest of that season.

The 33-year-old's enforced absence due to injury could boost the chances of Liverpool academy graduate Alexander-Arnold starting against his old team. The versatile full-back left Anfield to join Madrid in the summer.

Alexander-Arnold has featured in 10 matches for Real Madrid thus far, though has experienced a somewhat inconsistent beginning to his Spanish adventure.

The 27-year-old sustained a hamstring problem during the opening stages of his new club's 2-1 triumph over Marseille in the Champions League back in mid-September.

It is believed that his rehabilitation from the hamstring setback has been advancing positively to this point, and he may well confront the Reds next month.

The England international was named in Madrid's squad for their encounter against Barcelona at 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 after the match.

Madrid resume their campaign against Valencia in La Liga on Saturday before their journey to Merseyside three days later.