Trent Alexander-Arnold will not leave Real Madrid in January despite speculation over a return to Liverpool. The England defender has found game time limited under Jose Mourinho, prompting scrutiny over his future in the Spanish capital.
Limited Opportunities at Real Madrid
Alexander-Arnold has made just seven appearances this season, including a one-minute cameo against Barcelona last weekend. He has been on the bench six times, with Sunday's match marking his fourth successive start on the sidelines under Mourinho.
The former Liverpool man left Anfield for the Bernabeu in 2025 in a move that saw him jeered during the closing weeks of their title-winning campaign. His stint in Spain has been hampered by injury.
Competition for the Right-Back Spot
His selection prospects were further complicated by the arrival of Denzel Dumfries from Inter Milan. Even Dumfries has found game time limited, as Fede Valverde has emerged as a trusted option for Mourinho. Eder Militao was also used as a right-back against Sevilla.
Liverpool have limited options at full-back following the long-term injury to Conor Bradley, while Jeremie Frimpong suffered a hamstring injury against Brentford. Ronald Araujo has established himself as a fan favourite after a strong start to his loan from Barcelona.
Balague's Assessment
According to Guillem Balague, the chances of Alexander-Arnold leaving in January are minimal. He said: "No, not in January."
"What he's feeling right now is 'Okay, it's not my time, but it will be my time, I will prepare for my time'. That's how he's taking the whole thing."
"But there are two ahead of him in the same position (Valverde and Dumfries) and in fact, Eder Militao was also used as a right back against Sevilla. So is he fourth choice? He's certainly third it seems."
"But he's not down, he's been told by Mourinho to keep at it, he will have his moment. It's been unfair that when he has played from the start, he has played in the midfield because of the absentees."
"But in any case, he's got to keep fighting and he wants to succeed at Real Madrid, so he's got no intention of leaving."
Balague's comments suggest the 28-year-old can still play his way into Mourinho's thinking, though early evidence points to a difficult battle to become first choice.
