Virgil van Dijk played down the emotional nature of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Anfield homecoming, insisting instead that Liverpool “have to make it very difficult” for their former teammate and his Real Madrid colleagues.
Alexander-Arnold’s return to Merseyside has dominated the buildup to Tuesday night’s weighty Champions League clash between two members of European royalty. The Liverpool academy graduate left his boyhood club under a cloud after running down his contract and is bracing himself for a frosty reception from embittered fans.
As Van Dijk was quick to point out, Alexander-Arnold won’t be coddled on the pitch either.
“I think Trent is a quality player,” the 34-year-old warned. “He showed it so many times. He’s a very gifted player and he was important for us all those years. I was very happy to have him in my team and we have been very successful. But now he's an opponent on Tuesday. If he plays then we have to make it very difficult for him to do what he’s good at.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold's return to Anfield has come so soon. pic.twitter.com/mkPp78QyUs
— Sports Illustrated FC (@SI_FootballClub) November 3, 2025
Liverpool have felt the pinch of Alexander-Arnold’s creative absence, none more so than Mohamed Salah, yet whether he even gets onto the pitch is still up in the air for a player who has spent the past six weeks out injured.
Van Dijk was more concerned with a tactical domination of Alexander-Arnold rather than a hostile atmosphere from Anfield. “I’m not going to comment on that,” the Dutch skipper said when asked about his preferred reaction from the crowd. “I think he’s been outstanding in his time at Liverpool.”
For all his praise of Alexander-Arnold’s ability, Van Dijk revealed that he’s had limited contact with his former teammate of almost a decade. “Not much, no. Nothing personal whatsoever. Obviously I live my life and he lives his life in Madrid.”
Arne Slot Unsure of Alexander-Arnold Reception
Liverpool manager Arne Slot wouldn’t be drawn on his team’s tactical accommodations for the fullback, but admitted that he had “no clue” whether the Anfield crowd would warmly receive Alexander-Arnold.
“I can only tell you what kind of reception he gets from me,” a beaming Slot told assembled media. “I have great memories of the player and the human being. He was my vice captain last season and I have memories of working with him which were only positive and have memories from watching him on television which were only positive as well—I can remember multiple great moments of his in a Liverpool shirt.”
Ryan Gravenberch plans on delivering a warm welcome of his own. “When I see him, I’ll give him a hug,” Liverpool’s defensive midfielder smiled. “He’s a friend.”
READ THE LATEST CHAMPIONS LEAGUE NEWS, PREVIEWS AND PLAYER RATINGS
This article was originally published on www.si.com as Virgil van Dijk Reveals Liverpool Plan for Trent Alexander-Arnold Return.
