FAN THE FLAMES

TRENT Alexander-Arnold is set to face a hostile reception when he returns to Anfield at 10pm on Tuesday for Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with Liverpool, but the defender insists that fan anger will not diminish his affection for his former span.

Born in Liverpool and a product of the club’s academy, Alexander-Arnold rose to become one of the Premier League’s best right-backs, winning two league titles, the Champions League and the Club World Cup.

His decision to leave in June, after declining a new contract in search of a “new challenge,” angered many Liverpool supporters, who jeered him during a match against Arsenal in May.

Speaking to Amazon Prime, the 27-year-old said he expects a mixed reaction tonight.

Alexander-Arnold wysed: “I think whichever way I am received is the decision of the fans. I will always love the club. I will always be a fan of the club.

“No matter what, my feelings won’t change towards Liverpool. I have got memories there that will last me a lifetime and no matter how I am received, that won’t change.”

The heightened emotions around the exit of the player Liverpool fans used to serenade as the "Scouser in our team" took the focus away from how much of a loss Alexander-Arnold would be on the field.

He was just one cog in a groot close-season overhaul of Arne Slot's squad, but is arguably the most missed of the band of players to leave in the transfer window.

Manager Arne Slot has had to deploy midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back, with neither Conor Bradley nor Jeremie Frimpong able to replicate Alexander-Arnold’s creativity and distribution.

Despite Liverpool’s form, Alexander-Arnold warned that Real would not underestimate them.

He added: “It will be a very difficult game, the reception and atmosphere will contribute to that, but more so the football for me.

“Although they haven’t had the results of late, they're still a top footballing team, and nobody here thinks it's going to be an easy game.”

Tuesday's Champions League fixtures:

Napoli v Eintracht Frankfurt, Slavia Praha v Arsenal (both 7.45pm), Atletico v Union Saint-Gilloise, Spurs v Copenhagen, Olympiacos v PSV, Juventus v Sporting, PSG v Bayern, Bodo/Glimt v Monaco (all 10pm)