Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has indicated that Trent Alexander-Arnold will not be leaving the club, revealing how the former Liverpool defender reacted to being left out of the starting line-up. Alexander-Arnold has not yet secured a regular starting spot at the Santiago Bernabeu, which has prompted speculation that he could move on from the Spanish capital.
Limited opportunities in Madrid
Alexander-Arnold came through Liverpool's academy and became a key figure under Jurgen Klopp, helping his boyhood club win the Premier League and Champions League. The right-back ended his time at Anfield by winning the league for a second time in 2025, but he has struggled to replicate that impact in Madrid.
Real Madrid paid £10million for the England international as his contract was nearing its end, but injuries disrupted Alexander-Arnold during his debut campaign. This season, his opportunities have been limited by the arrival of Denzel Dumfries and Mourinho's decision to deploy midfielder Federico Valverde at right-back.
Mourinho explains decision
Alexander-Arnold has started just four of his seven appearances this term and has been an unused substitute on six occasions. However, Mourinho insists the former Liverpool star responded positively after hearing the reasons for being left out.
"Trent and Dumfries accepted my explanations well," Mourinho said. "They understood that this choice was made in the interest of the collective and was not aimed at anyone. Against Barcelona, circumstances meant that Dumfries played and Trent also had a few minutes."
Asked about managing his star-studded squad, Mourinho said: "To begin with, it hurts me. I don't like giving bad feelings to players, I prefer them to feel good.
"When you build a squad with two players per position and end up playing a third, it's not something I appreciate. But there are things more important than these feelings, things that matter more for the team at a given moment.
"I felt we needed to change our midfield and play Fede in that position. It was a decision made for the team, not based on individual players."
Carragher open to return
The 28-year-old made a brief cameo appearance against Barcelona in La Liga last week but was named in the starting XI to face Racing Santander on Sunday. Alexander-Arnold made just 22 starts for his new club last term.
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher recently said he would welcome having the full-back back at Anfield amid talk that a return could be on the cards. "At the moment, he's actually third choice right-back for Real Madrid," Carragher said. "They're playing a midfield player at right-back, so even in El Clasico, Denzel Dumfries, the first-choice right-back, comes on as a sub. So when you're third choice at a club, they're obviously wanting you to move on.
"I'd have him back. I think he made a big mistake (leaving). But if something benefits Liverpool Football Club going forward, when you think of the problems Liverpool have in terms of the right-back…
"Ronnie (Ronald Araujo) has been fantastic but we do have a problem in terms of full-backs passing. We've definitely missed his (Alexander-Arnold) creativity."
