Jude Bellingham was observed waiting to swap jerseys with close friend Trent Alexander-Arnold following their Champions League match.
The Real Madrid star was unable to prevent his side from losing to Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool on Wednesday night, as Alexis MacAllister and Cody Gakpo scored for the hosts.
It was another poor setback for Los Blancos, who are now 24th in the league table, but there was one bright spot for Madrid star Bellingham.
The England star was observed waiting outside the Liverpool dressing room at full-time, hoping to switch shirts with close friend Alexander-Arnold.
Though the full-back was not present to deliver it personally, his teammate Ryan Gravenberch assisted by going into the dressing room and returning to hand Bellingham the shirt.
The Madrid star had a melancholy expression on his face as he reflected on the defeat to Liverpool, a club he almost joined before heading to Spain.
Jude Bellingham was observed ready to swap shirts with close friend Trent Alexander-Arnold.
BLiverpool teammate Ryan Gravenberch (right) was on hand to present Bellingham with the shirt.
Bellingham (right) and Alexander-Arnold (left) were firm friends on England assignment.
The two have become close friends since Bellingham was introduced to the England squad two years ago, with many wondering if positions would be reserved and Alexander-Arnold could persuade England’s star to join Liverpool before signing with Madrid.
But that did not happen, and now the situation is reversed, with Alexander-Arnold’s future uncertain and Bellingham’s settled.
The two became even closer in Germany during England’s journey to the Euro 2024 final, and they have remained close throughout following international holidays.
Alexander-Arnold’s current contract expires in a year, so an agreement might be reached as early as January, with pre-contract agreements possible a few months in advance.
It would not be the first time Madrid has landed a big-money free transfer, with Mbappe finishing his contract at PSG in France before heading to Spain in the summer.
Bellingham and Alexander-Arnold began two games together at the Euros this summer, with the latter starting in a new midfield role before being pulled for the third and final group game after receiving criticism for his performances.
Following the criticism, the Real Madrid player defended his friend, telling ITV Sport: ‘He makes it so easy for me because he can handle the ball so effectively defensively in that position.
‘I know people say a lot of nonsense, but he’s so aggressive with that back-to-goal pressure, and that actually benefited me because it gave me a break when he went out.
‘I believe we understand each other well on the ball; he wants to play positive all the time, forward all the time.’
Elsewhere on the night, Rio Ferdinand said that Liverpool are the ‘greatest team in Europe’ and that they are ‘playing like Rottweilers that have not been fed in a long’.
The couple connected during Euro 2024 and are frequently seen together during international breaks.
Bellingham was unable to prevent Real Madrid’s 2-0 defeat against Liverpool on Wednesday evening.
Ferdinand told TNT Sports, ‘They’ve thrown the gauntlet down to all the other teams in Europe. Currently, they appear to be Europe’s best team.
‘They are playing as a team and appear to be the most hungry people around. Not only are they receiving results, but they appear to be famished.
‘They look like they haven’t been fed in ages, Rottweilers racing around the pitch chasing teams down. They are composed.
Slot’s family was present, and he described it as a memorable evening. ‘It’s always fantastic to win a game, especially a huge one like this,’ added the Dutchman, who will return to the AXA Training Centre today morning to prepare for a crucial title clash against struggling Manchester City on Sunday.
