Published: 12:00, 3 November 2025 | Updated: 12:02, 3 November 2025

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk says he will have zero contact with former team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold before his Anfield return on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old is unlikely to play for Real Madrid as he has not featured since suffering a hamstring injury on September 16, but the former vice-captain is set to be on the bench after his controversial move to the Spanish capital this summer.

He was a well-liked member of the Liverpool dressing room since breaking through as a teenager – but Van Dijk says he is nothing other than an opponent now.

Asked if he will be speaking to his old mate before the game, Van Dijk said: ‘No.’

Pressed if he had spoken to him much since leaving, in which Liverpool secured around £10million for Madrid to sign him early for the Club World Cup, the Dutch defender added: ‘Not much, no. Nothing personal whatsoever, obviously I live my life and he lives his life in Madrid.

‘Trent is a quality player. He showed it so many times, he's a...