Sensational Trent Alexander-Arnold return to Liverpool talked up as ex-England boss makes case

· Mirror

The case for Trent Alexander-Arnold to make a stunning return to Liverpool has been made

A repeat of Trent Alexander-Arnold's struggles at Real Madrid last season should leave the defender seeking a return to Liverpool. That's the opinion of former England boss Sam Allardyce, who believes the Reds are missing their former academy star.

Alexander-Arnold, 27, hasn't set the world alight since joining the Spanish giants in a £10million deal last summer. The full-back struggled with injuries in his debut campaign and has played much of the current season as second-fiddle to Netherlands star Denzel Dumfries.

He's started just two of Madrid's opening seven league games and was an unused substitute in their 2-1 defeat by Atletico Madrid this past weekend. Yet to stamp his claim as the long-term successor to Dani Carjaval, Allardyce said a reunion between Alexander-Arnold and Liverpool should be on the cards if he remains second-choice.

Speaking on Footy Accumulators' podcast, No Tippy Tappy Football, the former Bolton and Newcastle boss said: > "At 27, Trent still has years ahead of him. This is his prime. He’s at Real Madrid, and his experience there should stand him in good stead to be even better than he was when he left Liverpool, even though he hasn’t played as often as he would’ve liked. > > "If he is going to be a Real Madrid player then this season he needs to be playing more than ever - if not, he should come back to the Premier League - Liverpool could do with him back. He’s capable of opening the opposition up."

The full-back has long been criticised for his defending, but Allardyce doesn't believe he's inferior to other players in his position. The 71-year-old explained: > "There have always been question marks over has defending, and rightly so, but that’s the same for most right-backs now. They stand with their hands behind the backs and don’t stop crosses. > > "When Liverpool weren’t quite as good under Jurgen Klopp as they had been for a few years and they started conceding more goals, his defending got pointed out by everyone."

Despite not yet becoming a regular starter for Jose Mourinho's side, Alexander-Arnold earned a recall to the England squad for their upcoming Nations League fixtures. Thomas Tuchel's decision was praised by Allardyce, given the full-back's unique abilities on the ball.

He added: > "He’s not much worse than most other full-backs. His quality on the ball and ability to open up the opposition, whether it’s with short or long passes, are massive assets to England. I’m glad to see him back."

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