Fans of certain Premier League clubs have suggested that they feel that the Champions League drawing was rigged after these two emotional returns had yielded.
The draw for the competition phase was randomly chosen by a computer, adhering to a series of conditions to produce a fair draw without causing planning conflicts.
But that randomization has yielded a number of intense personal draws that have encouraged some emotional fans to suggest that they had been resolved.
One of the most expected matches of the draw is the journey from Real Madrid to Anfield, where Trent Alexander-Arnold will be reunited with his previous club.
He was not the only other return of the trek, with Napoli from Kevin De Bruyne who would travel to the Etihad to face his earlier side.
A fan on X claimed: “Taa plays Liverpool and KDB vs City. Tell me that it is not rigged.”
Another clearly agreed and stated: “Trent at Anfield, KDB in City, Berta Derby … targeted thoughts!?”
A fan of Liverpool even left Hugo Ekitike on the left with the summer who returned to the former club Eintracht Frankfurt.
They said: “They have stood up 100% to return Trent to Anfield and Hugo to return to Frankfurt. FFS”
Alexander-Arnold burned bridges with Liverpool when he came to Madrid after the expiry of his contract.
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De Bruyne left the city on better conditions, but it will still be an emotional return for the 34-year-old, who spent a decade in the club.
It is not only former players who return to chase their earlier clubs, there seem to be a variety of scores to settle in the draw.
Last year's semi-finalists Arsenal will organize Spurs legend Harry Kane while he leads the line for the German giants Bayern Munich.
Liverpool will again organize Atletico Madrid from Diego Simeone in Anfield.
It will be the third time in six seasons where the couple went opposite each other and one of the most exciting matches in the recent Champions League history produces when Atleti walked away in extra time to dump the Reds from the Tour of 2019 of 16.