Xabi Alonso has told Trent Alexander-Arnold to enjoy his “nice” return to Liverpool as the Real Madrid defender prepares to face his boyhood club for the first time since his acrimonious summer departure.

Alexander-Arnold is likely to receive a hostile reception at Anfield after he angered Liverpool fans by leaving at the end of his contract last season. The England international would have exited on a free transfer but for Real paying an £8.5m fee to cancel his Liverpool contract early and include him in their squad for the Club World Cup.

The 27-year-old was part of a Real delegation that laid floral tributes to Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva outside Anfield on Monday night. The head coach and former Liverpool midfielder Alonso, the defender Dean Huijsen and Real’s director of institutional relations, Emilio Butragueño, were also present. Alexander-Arnold laid his own floral tribute, with a message that read: “My mate Diogo, you are so missed but still so loved. Yours and André’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.”

Alonso is guaranteed...