Liverpool were heavily linked with a move for Jude Bellingham in 2023.
The Reds were gearing up for a major midfield rebuild that summer. They brought in Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Wataru Endo to strengthen. Bellingham was expected to be the poster boy behind the revamp. It made sense, too. Jurgen Klopp had his Borussia Dortmund links. Friend Trent Alexander-Arnold played for Liverpool. A return to England seemed viable.
‘Agent Trent’, though, failed to lure Bellingham to Anfield. It would conspire the right-back was a double agent, moving to Real Madrid earlier this summer. Bellingham ultimately played a key role in Trent’s transfer to the Bernabeu.
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When Liverpool ended their pursuit of Bellingham in 2023, Real Madrid was the most viable destination for the youngster. The 22-year-old thrived in his debut Bernabeu season. Indeed, he won La Liga and the Champions League, and finished third in the 2024 Ballon d’Or.
The performance levels dipped in his second Real Madrid season, though Los Blancos as a whole wobbled in Carlo Ancelotti’s final campaign. Xabi Alonso took over the Real Madrid reins yet Bellingham was unable to catch the Spaniard’s eye in the opening weeks of his reign. Having dislocated his shoulder in 2023, Bellingham made the decision to undergo surgery in July.
Bellingham reclaiming his starting spot
He was, as he told reporters in June, “tired of playing with a sling”. It meant Bellingham’s first league start didn’t come until the end of September, a 5-2 loss to Atletico Madrid. What a welcome back to the first team. Bellingham’s absence also coincided with Arda Guler’s rise to stardom under Alonso.
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Having played a bit part role under Ancelotti, Arda has became Real Madrid’s creative fulcrum. Only two players have registered more assists than Arda (5) in the 2025-26 La Liga campaign. Only Kylian Mbappe (30) has created more chances than a Turkish youngster (27). Bellingham could have struggled to reclaim his starting spot.
However, just as Bellingham’s injury proved a blessing for Arda, Trent’s absence and Dani Carvajal’s knee problem has benefitted the England international. Trent is available for Alonso, yet the Los Blancos boss has favoured Federico Valverde at right-back in recent weeks.
The Uruguayan is a jack-of-all-trades star for Alonso to call upon, and his versatility has paved the way for Bellingham to return to the side. Against Valencia on Saturday, a game Real Madrid won at a canter, Bellingham and Arda started either side of Aurelien Tchouameni.
With Valverde featuring at right-back, Real Madrid are able to dominate in midfield, thus enabling Bellingham and Arda to push forward and support the attack. Los Blancos rely heavily on the left side through Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe and Bellingham. As Valverde tucks inside, the Spanish giants maintain superiorty.
Attacking improvements under Alonso
It means Bellingham is able to work his magic in the final third. The youngster has seen a rise in shots per 90 (2.4, up from 1.7) and chances created per 90 (2.2, up from 1.5) in La Liga. With a little more cohesion in the final third, combined with Arda’s rise, there is less focus on Bellingham. As such, the latter has more freedom to impact matches in attack.
And he’s come in clutch following a return to match fitness, scoring the only goal against Juventus in the Champions League and directly contributing to both goals in the win over Barcelona. With the license to crash the penalty area, Bellingham’s also seen a rise in touches in the opposition box per 90 (6.4, up from 4.3). His El Clasico winner was a case in point as he ghosted into the box. Eder Militao’s fine back post header across goal presented Bellingham with arguably the easiest finish of his career.
Liverpool up next for Real Madrid and Bellingham
Bellingham could have struggled to reclaim his starting spot, yet he’s returned to the XI with ease. And against Liverpool on Tuesday night, supporters will again look to Real Madrid’s number 5 to deliver on a grand stage. The Reds may have returned to winning ways at Aston Villa’s expense on Saturday but it wasn’t a wholly convincing performance.
Liverpool still conceded 10 shots and a little more composure from the Villans would have set up a tense clash. With the quality on the Real Madrid books, Liverpool won’t be let off quite so easily. The Spanish side endured a disappointing evening on Merseyside in this game 12 months’ ago. Yet with Real Madrid clicking under Alonso and the Premier League champions faltering under Arne Slot, the tables have turned.
Bellingham is now tipped to show why the Reds should have pushed harder for his services two years’ ago. Trent and Alonso will dominate the pre-match narrative. Out of the spotlight, Bellingham may just capitalise with ruthless efficiency.