Liverpool vs Real Madrid live: Champions League team news, line-ups and more as Trent Alexander-Arnold mural defaced ahead of Anfield return

Trent Alexander-Arnold has vowed not to celebrate if he scores against Liverpool on his first return to Anfield since his summer sale.

Alexander-Arnold, who said he would always love Liverpool, admitted he never expected to be in the away dressing room at Anfield and said he would be careful he did not accidentally go into the home one with his former teammates.

“I’ll be very focused on which way I go, I don’t want any of those type of clips,” he told Prime Video Sport. “That will be a big difference, going into the away dressing room and warming up on the other side, everything will feel a lot different but it is all part of the game.”

Trent Alexander-Arnold paid tribute to former Liverpool team-mate Diogo Jota on his first return to Anfield with Real Madrid. The 27-year-old was part of a delegation from Real Madrid that laid a floral tribute to Jota and his brother Andre Silva outside Anfield on Monday night, before tonight’s Champions League match.

Accompanied by head coach and former Liverpool great Xabi Alonso and defender Dean Huijsen, Alexander-Arnold presented his own personal tribute with a hand-written note that read: “My mate Diogo, you are so missed but still so loved. Yours and Andre’s memories will always live on. I smile every time I think about you and will always remember the great times we shared. Miss you mate every day. Love Trent and family.”

Alexander-Arnold’s decision to leave his boyhood club angered some Liverpool supporters, with the player booed during his first match against Arsenal following the announcement of his departure in May.

His mural, situated on Sybil Road adjacent to Anfield Road, was produced to recognise one of Liverpool’s academy successes, commemorating his role in the club’s 2019 Champions League victory.

The mural has since been restored after work to remove the graffiti on Tuesday afternoon.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s mural near Anfield has been defaced with fans writing “rat” in English and Spanish ahead of his Liverpool return with Real Madrid on Tuesday night.

It is the first time Alexander-Arnold will play against his former team since his controversial exit, with fans using white paint over the image of the full-back.

“Rat not welcome” and “Adios el rata” were scribbled across the bottom of the mural with workers cleaning it at lunchtime.

The vandalism suggests a hostile reception for Alexander-Arnold tonight at Anfield as both teams clash in the Champions League.