Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media

Evan Lloyd

Wed 18 March 2026 17:45, UK

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Ex-Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold was at his best as Real Madrid knocked Manchester City out of the Champions League on Tuesday.

The England international, who left Liverpool in the final weeks of contract last summer, has struggled to adapt to his new team at times this season.

The 27-year-old has become an enemy at Anfield, and his struggles have been lauded by some fans of the Reds.

There was no struggle about Alexander-Arnold’s performance on Tuesday, however, with the right-back featuring as Vinicius Junior’s brace sealed a 5-1 aggregate victory and Real Madrid’s place in the quarter-finals.

Liverpool transfer chiefs sought Jeremie Frimpong to replace the England international, but he has struggled to adapt to the Premier League this season.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s impressive stats vs Man City

Football Insider exclusively revealed in January that Alexander-Arnold would not leave Real Madrid, but the presence of such rumours exemplified how much the right-back had struggled.

Perhaps it was because he was facing a similar opponent on Tuesday, but the defender was in superb form.

Faced up against the tricky and direct Jeremy Doku, the 27-year-old needed to retain constant focus, with the winger only assisting Erling Haaland’s goal when faced up against Thiago Pitarch.

Alexander-Arnold kept on top of the Man City man, and ultimately walked away having delivered a solid defensive performance.

And, as usually is the case, the England international was hugely impressive with the ball at his feet.

He created a big chance, completed nearly all of his long balls, and likely should have walked away with an assist.

It was yet another cruel reminder of what Liverpool lost when Alexander-Arnold decided against extending his contract at Anfield.

Liverpool fans will be frustrated with Alexander-Arnold comments

Alexander-Arnold has done himself no favours with the Liverpool fans since leaving, with the defender seeming to constantly fire little digs at his former club.

When he returned to Anfield with Real Madrid in November, the 27-year-old was resoundingly booed throughout the stands.

He seemed to take another slight pop after the game on Tuesday, and, when asked about the differences between the clubs, said: “Once you join a club like Madrid, you understand straight away how important this competition is to the fans and to the club.

“There’s an expectation and a demand to go far, and even win it. That’s the demand. I said it last week that there’s no excuses, we had a lot of injuries, a lot of players out, but a club like this, there’s an expectation no matter what.”

Depending on both teams’ next ties, if Liverpool progress, Alexander-Arnold could be set for another return to Anfield in the Champions League semi-final.