El Clasico is the world’s most famous soccer match, full of the best players on the planet fighting for big prizes against the backdrop of great history. Real Madrid currently sit at the top, with champions Barcelona second, 2 points behind.
It’s a guide for all football fans, but for those in the UK, the first El Clasico of 2025/26 has a bit more of an element of distraction. The English stars will directly face the attack of the Spanish title for the first time, as Trent Alexander-Arnold, to join another English star in Jude Bellingham in Madrid, renewed the competition with Marcus Rashford. The rivalry that started seven years ago in England’s own feud, Liverpool-Manchester United.
Ahead of the first laliga match between the two, and the first of La Liga 2025/26, is available to watch live in the UK on Sunday 26 October at 3:15 PM Via Premier Sports, we analyze Trent Alexander-Arnold-Arnold and Marcus Rashford’s start to life in Spain’s TopFlight, and their head-to-head record so far.
The beginning of life in Spain
The couple are both touring the first season of their respective careers. Rashford came to Spain with the aim of rebuilding his brilliant but sometimes tumultuous career under Hanthi Flick. His new manager was quoted as saying “Before the start of the season, [Director of Football] Deco and I said we need a player like him”.
So far he has been able to show for the giants of Spain, scoring and assisting three times in La Liga and making an impact in the European stage, beating Newcastle United twice in the UEFA Champions League in the UEFA Champions League. In all competitions, Rashford has the most objective contribution to the Barcelona team.
Trent looks to take his career from strength-to-strength following a title-winning run at Liverpool. His first few months haven’t been smooth sailing under Xabi Alonso, with injury problems and a dispute over his place with captain Dani Carvajal resulting in just four appearances so far. That is set to change during El Clasico, as a return to fitness matches Carvajal’s time in the treatment room.
Trent may have the first point to prove the white of madrid, and El Clasico clash against his old enemy would be the right stage. Marcus Rashford will have other ideas.
Rashford’s First Return
There can be little doubt that the early clashes were dominated by Marcus Rashford. The first meeting, in October 2018, led to a joint victory with Rashford getting both, winning the player of the match award with a score of 9 (Daily Mail), and generally running his opponent.
The corresponding FICTRE that the season sees Trent missed, so the couple would not face each other again until October 2019. The second meeting – while not without a joint win – saw Cashford take the charge with TRENT and to the man 1-1. Rashford scored again and won the game.
Trent Asserts
The third meeting in January 2021 ended in an incomparable 0-0 draw as Trent earned his first international cap while failing to register otherwise.
That will change in May 2021, in the fourth chapter. Alexander-Arnold rated 9 (Sky Sports) when he registered his first assist against Rashford’s United, a pinpoint cross for Roberto Firmino to head Liverpool’s second goal of the night. Another strike from Rashford failed to help the team to a default 4-2 defeat.
The 2021/2 season was dominated by Trent’s Liverpool. Across the two legs, Trent played a full 180 minutes, while Rashford played 152 minutes, as Liverpool won 9-0 on aggregate. Alexander-Arnold has assisted once with an average performance between the two games of 7.5 compared to Rashford’s 3.5 (Guardian, squawka).
Rashford would get revenge the following morning, as another goal against Trent at Old Trafford helped seal a 2-1 victory. Rashford was unable to repeat this feat at Fentield, however. In Liverpool’s next home game against Trent, he will be substituted in the 85th minute of the 6-0 side in a 7-0 declaration – the joint result in United history as Trent was beaten by Mohamed Salah’s shot.
Recent memory
Last season, England’s players met twice, including the first time away from Liverpool vs Manchester United, as Rashford made a January loan move to Aston Villa. Before that, Trent enjoyed a clean sheet against Rashford at Old Trafford as Liverpool won 3-0. VER review denied Trent first goal against Rashford.
Trent will put himself in the tradition when he faces Rashford a few months later at Villa Park. Alexander-Arnold Equalizer for Liverpool in a 2-2 draw that included an average of 8 (sports heaven) for Rashford, as the most recent allegations and ended well. Now, all eyes turn to Santiago Bernabé.
Trent Alexander-Arnold vs Marcus Rashford | Key stats from 11 head to head so far:
- Winning: Trent 5-2 Rashford (4 Draws)
- Terms: Trent 1-4 Rashford
- Site: Trent 2-0 Rashford
- POTM: Trent 0-2 Rashford
- Average performance: Trent 6.6 – 5.5 Rashford
- Player ratings are obtained from match reports across the board Daily mail, weather sports, guardian, squawka, 90min, one ball, metro
Trent Alexander Arnold vs Marcus Rashford | Game-by-game break down:
- 03/10/2018: Manchester United 2-1 Liver pool
- 20/10/2019: Manchester United 1-1 Liver pool
- 17/01/2021: Liverpool 0-0 Manchester United
- 13/05/2021: Manchester United 2-4 Liver pool
- 24/10/2021: Manchester United 0-5 Liver pool
- 19/04/2022: Liverpool 4-0 Manchester United
- 22/08/2022: Manchester United 2-1 Liver pool
- 05/03/2023: Liverpool 7-0 Manchester United
- 17/12/2023: Liverpool 0-0 Manchester United
- 01/09/2024: Manchester United 0-3 Liver pool
- 19/02/2025: Aston Villa 2-2 Liver pool
To watch Trex Alexander-Arnold vs Marcus Rashford Rarmry Qhubeka in Laliga, you can watch El Clasico live in the UK on Sunday 26 October at 3:15 PM Via Premier Sports.
