To make matters worse, speculation has grown over his future in Madrid following Jose Mourinho’s appointment as manager, with Denzel Dumfries having been signed from Inter Milan as competition for him at right-back.

It hasn’t been going too well for his former club either, though, and with Liverpool already looking as though it will be short of options at right-back for the new season, the Reds have been urged to make the surprise decision to bring Alexander-Arnold back to Anfield.

Former Chelsea and Aston Villa star Andy Townsend is the latest to call for the sensational transfer, telling talkSPORT: “First and foremost, purely as a player, if he came back to Liverpool, would he improve them? 100 percent, yes.

Jose Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid has led to more speculation about Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future

“[Jeremie] Frimpong one, as a right-back, I’ve not really got. It’s so important nowadays with these full backs being such an important part of a team’s attacking intentions. If you can’t deliver anything half decent when you get into a good area, and from what I’ve seen of him so far, I’ve not really seen that final delivery, which Trent can do in his sleep.

“So, I think he absolutely would improve them. The question is how the club would feel about it. That’s going to be a difficult pill probably for some Liverpool fans to swallow.”

Townsend added: “He doesn’t need another season like he had last time.

“That would have been a big disappointment to him. Secretly, he would have been a little hurt that it never happened, he never really got going and had a few injury issues.

“I think Liverpool should, if they can get any deal done for him on a loan basis for a season, whatever those fees are now, up to £10 million for a season, I wouldn’t turn your nose up at that to get that boy back through the door. He is top, top drawer.”

Townsend’s comments come after Liverpool was told to ‘cut its losses’ and make a move for its former vice-captain, even if it risks backlash from the club’s supporters.

TalkSPORT host Angelina Kelly claimed: “I know what it’s like for a player to, in your opinion, betray the club – especially one of your own, especially being a Liverpudlian. I get it.

Trent Alexander-Arnold had a tough first year at Real Madrid

“When Real Madrid come calling, it is hard to say no – we have to be honest with that – and he’s made the move and it hasn’t really worked out.

“And you look at Liverpool, and you think, do they need a new right-back? I mean, Frimpong didn’t look great last season — I think he’s probably better playing further forward — [Conor] Bradley injured.

“I think maybe they should cut their losses and just explore the Trent situation. I’m not saying you’ve got to sign him immediately – let’s just explore this. Because Real Madrid have signed another right-back in Denzel Dumfries — that is not good news for Trent.

“So, why can’t everyone just take some ownership…take a bit of accountability, and we can all come back together and be happy?”

Credit: Liverpool.com