Trent Alexander-Arnold was left on the bench for the fourth time in La Liga this season as Real Madrid beat Sevilla 4-1 at home. The former Liverpool defender watched from the sidelines as Jose Mourinho’s side ran out convincing winners.
The 28-year-old has made just two league starts this campaign and has been an unused substitute in three of the last four matches. His limited game time marks another difficult moment in his second full season with the Spanish giants.
Valverde preferred at right-back
Mourinho continues to experiment with his starting line-up, and Fede Valverde has emerged as the preferred option at full-back. The Real Madrid captain earned praise from his manager after the Sevilla victory.
“The other day, half-jokingly and half-seriously, I said that if we had four Valverdes, they’d play in four different positions,” Mourinho said. “He’s one of the most versatile players in football today. He can play anywhere and at a very high level. Today, he played a brilliant game. He’s the captain of Real Madrid, and if he has to play as a goalkeeper, then gloves on and into the goal.”
Dumfries adds competition
Denzel Dumfries arrived from Inter Milan in the summer, adding further competition for Alexander-Arnold. The Dutch defender has played nine times across all competitions, including seven league appearances and both Champions League outings so far.
Alexander-Arnold was tested in midfield during the group opener against Inter Milan, lasting 79 minutes, but Mourinho conceded the experiment had failed. That leaves the England international with limited game time and seemingly falling down the pecking order.
England recall and Madrid move
Alexander-Arnold has worked his way back into the England squad after being omitted by Thomas Tuchel. He joined Real Madrid following the expiry of his Liverpool contract, and in an interview published last September he reflected on the move.
“It was one of the toughest decisions of my life. Liverpool is my home; it made me who I am. But Madrid felt like the right step, at the right time. It is definitely a challenge, but it's a challenge I welcome,” he said. “The Bernabeu is a sacred place. You feel the weight of the jersey, but that very thing pushes you to give it your all. Of course the legacy (of Real Madrid) is undeniable. But more than that, what attracted me was the ambition and the desire to prove myself in a new context. Yes, I feel it's a personal transformation as well as a professional one. Moving to a new country, learning a new culture, pushes you as a person. It's more than soccer.”
A Premier League comeback has been mooted in recent months, with Liverpool linked as an option to end his La Liga struggles. The Reds have not replaced the creative full-back, and with Jeremie Frimpong joining Conor Bradley on the sidelines, Liverpool have few options at right-back. Ronald Araujo has been an inspired loan signing and can play at right-back.
Manchester City have also been linked, but that speculation could simmer as the club battles the Premier League’s financial charges against them, of which they were found guilty on 114 counts. While their sanctions are subject to appeal, Enzo Maresca’s side face endless possibilities of punishment, which could scupper a North West return for the former Liverpool man.
