Trent Alexander-Arnold's transition to Real Madrid has been marked by frustration, with the full-back struggling for game time and being left out of Thomas Tuchel's latest England squad. The 27-year-old has found himself on the bench for much of the season, with midfielder Fede Valverde preferred at right-back by coach Xabi Alonso despite the injury to Dani Carvajal. Whispers suggest Alonso does not rate Alexander-Arnold highly, favouring a hard-running, all-action tackler in the role.
Alexander-Arnold's difficulties have been compounded by a fitness battle, having been injured for significant periods. His return to Anfield for a Champions League clash was met with boos from Liverpool fans, and his mural on Sybil Road was defaced. The negative reception was widely covered in the media, with cameras cutting to him on the bench as Liverpool scored the only goal.
Off the pitch, a video of Alexander-Arnold speaking Spanish in an interview with his language teacher, Sara Duque, sparked criticism. He claimed to have been learning for five months, leading some to deduce he started while still under contract at Liverpool in May. This fuelled accusations of disloyalty, though such timing is common among players preparing for moves.
Former Real Madrid player Jorge Valdano commented on the situation, writing: 'He comes from a big club, but he’s arrived on a different planet.' Despite the setbacks, Alexander-Arnold has only had limited opportunities, and some argue he has not yet been given a fair chance to adapt to Alonso's system.
