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UCL Champions League Drama Advertisement live Updated 44s ago Trent Alexander-Arnold has been named on Real Madrid's bench in his return to Liverpool in today's Champions League match. The England right-back, who is back at Anfield for the first time since leaving his boyhood club this past summer, has only recently recovered from a hamstring injury. Madrid — managed by former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso — are one of five teams to have won all three of their Champions League matches so far this season, while Liverpool have won two of theirs. GO FURTHER Trent Alexander-Arnold mural in Liverpool vandalised ahead of return with Real Madrid Trent Alexander-Arnold isn't the only man returning to Anfield this evening. His manager, Xabi Alonso, has a special relationship with the fans in this part of the world having spent five years at the club between 2004 and 2009. The Spaniard made more than 200 appearances for Liverpool and won three major honours: the 2005 Champions League, 2005 UEFA Super Cup and 2006 FA Cup. Alonso has been back at Anfield as a manager once before, but it wasn't a very happy return; his Bayer Leverkusen side were hammered 4-0 here in this competition 364 days ago. .. Advertisement Trent Alexander-Arnold is in the house. Chill vibes, for now. Not a great deal to get excited about from today's two early Champions League fixtures. In Prague, Arsenal have had joy from another dead-ball situation with Bukayo Saka scoring a 32nd-minute penalty. And you probably won't be shocked to hear that they won that spot kick from a corner, with Gabriel heading against Lukas Provod's hand. In the other game, Napoli have been on top at home against Frankfurt but neither side has been able to break the deadlock. Interesting team selection from Liverpool coach Arne Slot, with Florian Wirtz returning to the starting line-up in the only change from Saturday's 2-0 victory over Aston Villa. Wirtz comes in for Cody Gakpo, so probably in a slightly loose left-sided attacking role. Andy Robertson continues at left-back after replacing Milos Kerkez at the weekend. Well, here are the players available to Arne Slot this evening. .. Subs: Woodman, Misciur, Gomez, Endo, Kerkez, Chiesa, Jones, Gakpo, Ngumoha. Arne Slot's XI for the clash is below. Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike. Advertisement As previously reported at The Athletic, Trent Alexander-Arnold isn't ready to start tonight. Midfielder Federico Valverde will play as a right-back again. Xabi Alonso has chosen the same XI which gave him the El Clasico victory against Barcelona on October 26. There is plenty of depth in talent on the bench tonight for Xabi Alonso. Subs: Lunin, Alexander-Arnold, Ceballos, Asencio, F. Mendy, Fran Gonzalez, Fran Garcia, Gonzalo Garcia, Endrick, Rodrygo, Brahim Diaz. Here's how Xabi Alonso's men line up today. Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Courtois; Valverde, Militao, Huijsen, Carreras; Tchouameni, Camavinga; Guler, Bellingham, Vinicius Junior; Mbappe. Ordinarily, a player with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s achievements would be guaranteed a fond reception from Liverpool fans at a ground where he created so many happy memories. But things are more complicated than that. A clue as to how the Anfield crowd will react to seeing him again tonight came in a mural of the 27-year-old being vandalised. Below, The Athletic discusses Alexander-Arnold's bruised reputation among those who used to adore him. Some news from earlier today: Trent Alexander-Arnold’s mural outside Anfield has been vandalised ahead of his return to Liverpool with Real Madrid in the Champions League. The image of the former Liverpool right-back on the side of a house on the corner of Sybil Road and Anfield Road, close to the stadium, was splattered with white paint, calling him a rat. His decision to join Real Madrid triggered anger from part of the fanbase. He was booed after coming on against Arsenal in May, but got a warm send-off amid the Premier League title celebrations. Advertisement For Real Madrid, head coach Xabi Alonso has confirmed that Trent Alexander-Arnold is available to face his former club Liverpool despite not playing since September 16 due to injury, The Athletic reported on Monday that he is not expected to start against his boyhood club despite Dani Carvajal’s injury, with midfielder Federico Valverde set to deputise there again. For Liverpool, striker Alexander Isak (groin) is out, along with goalkeeper Alisson and right-back Jeremie Frimpong (both hamstring). Midfielder Curtis Jones has returned to training, with Florian Wirtz the most likely to earn a recall if the Dutchman does make changes. Managing Real Madrid means dealing with superstar players — with all the positives and negatives that can bring. Coping with the demands, expectations and egos of the Bernabeu’s dressing room is an important and challenging part of the job, as current Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso is learning very quickly. Coaching successfully in such conditions requires a mixture of humility and self-confidence, as well as a certain cunning. But the only thing that really matters at the Bernabeu is winning. Alonso’s tactical and selection decisions have so far paid off on the pitch. If that continues, his allegedly arrogant and stand-offish treatment of his players will not worry the club hierarchy too much. But if results do start to slide, pressure will follow. That's why arguably the most glamorous coaching job in club football is also one of the most difficult to succeed in. GO FURTHER Xabi Alonso and the forever problem of Real Madrid’s dressing room As always, we have two early matches to enjoy in the Champions League this evening — and there is Premier League interest. Arsenal are in the Czech capital facing Slavia Prague having won all three of their opening three matches in this season's tournament. The other game sees Italian champions Napoli host Eintracht Frankfurt with both teams looking for inspiration having made indifferent starts to their campaigns. They both come into this evening having won, drawn and lost one of their first three games. No early goals to report in either of those fixtures: The El Clasico victory represented a big win for Xabi Alonso, especially regarding the relationship with his players. Recently, tensions between Alonso and some of the Madrid squad have been growing. Several first-team players have been unhappy with his management and the way he has imposed several important changes since arriving in the summer. One of the first messages to his Madrid players was that everyone would have to run and work harder when the opposition was in possession, as well as emphasising punctuality, dedication and intensity. The changes have not been welcomed by everyone. Multiple sources close to first-team players told The Athletic frustration has taken hold in the dressing room, with many senior figures feeling disrespected and dissatisfied. “He thinks he’s Pep Guardiola, but for now he’s just Xabi, ” said an individual close to a senior Madrid player. Xabi Alonso preferred not to fuel the controversy with Vinicius. The Real Madrid head coach was diplomatic when asked about a complicated relationship with the Brazilian player. Alonso also took the opportunity to speak positively about the player and his concentration when it was questioned whether the renewal of his contract, which expires in 2027, might be affecting him. Alonso’s words go some way in settling his most difficult week in Madrid, from a media point of view. From a sporting standpoint, Alonso is enjoying a period of calm after winning El Clasico. Madrid have won 12 of 13 possible matches this season. For now, that is what is keeping the team stable and allowing the head coach and players to face press conferences with their usual composure. But stability might be hard to find at Anfield, especially if Madrid lose. Advertisement Xabi Alonso has said he considers the situation between him and Vinicius Junior “closed” after the Brazilian apologised for his reaction to being substituted during the Clasico win against Barcelona. He said sorry to “team-mates, the club, and the president” but did not reference Alonso in his statement, with those close to the player indicating he was deliberately not left out due to being hurt by the head coach's treatment. “We had a meeting with all the players and Vinicius was very good, impeccable, ” Alonso told a press conference on Friday. “He spoke from the heart, with sincerity, and the matter is closed. ” Vinicius Jr had asked “Me? ” five times after seeing he was being replaced. “Always me. I’m leaving the team, it’s better if I leave, I’m leaving, ” as he went straight to the dressing room without acknowledging Alonso. The Real Madrid head coach also confirmed on Friday that the forward would not face any sanctions or fines. At left-back, Milos Kerkez is playing a role which doesn’t appear to suit him, and captain Virgil van Dijk does not look comfortable next to him. Andy Robertson's experience could have a positive impact. The same applies to Joe Gomez. Despite Ibrahima Konate’s inconsistency this season, using Gomez next to the France international at right-back, rather than instead of him at centre-back, could offer a solution. Alexis Mac Allister is struggling in midfield, so Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones should play together, with Dominik Szoboszlai used in his better position rather than at right-back. It would be a big call to leave out both Mo Salah and Florian Wirtz but neither warrants a start on recent form. Cody Gakpo could play on the left of a 4-4-2, Szoboszlai on the right, with Ekitike and Isak up front. In the days before winning the Premier League last season, Arne Slot spoke out frustratedly about ‘truly pathetic’ time-wasting from opponents. The same message can be received very differently depending on if you are winning or losing. Until recently, he had never lost three games in a row. As a head coach, he is in uncharted waters, because his reaction to a really bad run of form had not been tested. Slot did adapt to managing a bigger team in Feyenoord than AZ, winning over skeptics. And he has since done it at Liverpool as well. What he has not proven is his ability to return to the right decisions when nothing seems to be working and the whole world is watching.