Trent Alexander-Arnold made his first start for Real Madrid in their 1-1 draw with Al-Hilal, but the England international endured a pretty disastrous start for his new club at the FIFA Club World Cup
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Trent Alexander-Arnold reacts during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group H match between Real Madrid CF and Al Hilal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold failed to impress many during his Real Madrid debut
(Image: Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
Alan Shearer is convinced that Trent Alexander-Arnold will "get better" with time at Real Madrid. The former Liverpool defender made his debut for the Spanish giants on Wednesday, taking part in their 1-1 draw against Al-Hilal at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Gonzalo Garcia scored the opener for Madrid, before Ruben Neves levelled things up from the penalty spot just before half-time for the Saudi team. Federico Valverde thought he was going to clinch the win in stoppage time, but his late penalty was saved by Bono to ensure the Spaniards were held to a draw.
Alexander-Arnold's first match in Madrid white ultimately didn't go down as well as he would've hoped. Despite delivering crosses into the box and pushing forward, he lost possession a staggering 12 times before being hooked off in the 65th minute.
During an episode of the Rest is Football podcast, Gary Lineker discussed the England international's debut, admitting that the defender will be relieved to now have his first start behind him – even if it didn't go to plan.
Reflecting on Madrid's draw with Al-Hilal, the former Tottenham Hotspur star said: "Trent's debut is the obvious place to start. I thought he was a little bit slow early on, in warming up, but I thought he grew into the game. You saw a few crosses from him and he had lots of possession of the ball. He'll be glad to get that game out the way won't he?"
Sky Sports host Alex Aljoe was in agreement, adding: "I thought it was interesting what Xabi Alonso said after the game, it was like he said, 'Look, he's a really talented player, but talent isn't enough.' It's almost like he wanted to say that, he's sort of making a statement by coming out and saying that.
Trent Alexander-Arnold looks on during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group H match between Real Madrid CF and Al Hilal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was substituted off in the 65th minute of the game
"He said he needs to get better defensively, and that's where he was exposed; at the back at times in that game. I think in general, Real Madrid lack experienced, high-quality defenders."
Shearer chimed in, suggesting that Alexander-Arnold will need more time to adapt to Madrid's playing style, and insisted that there is much more to come from the Premier League star. The Newcastle United legend said: "I think it's clearly going to take time to get used to a new manager, new sort of ideas of what he wants to do.
"Trent obviously is going to take time to understand and get used to his surroundings, that's only normal. But, he'll have bigger and better ideas than that."
Shearer agreed with Lineker, and said: "I think he'll be pleased that it's out of the way [making his debut]. He's maybe disappointed that he didn't do so well, the team didn't do so well, they didn't get the right result. It'll get better, there's no doubt."
While Lineker, Shearer and Aljoe were reluctant to slate Alexander-Arnold too much, not everyone shared their stance. Several prominent football rating platforms handed Alexander-Arnold low scores. Football Espana and Sport both gave the English defender a 5/10, with the former labelling his performance "underwhelming" and criticising his lack of impact in attack.
Trent Alexander-Arnold with hands clasped together prior the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group H match between Real Madrid CF and Al Hilal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold didn't make the start he would've hoped for at Real Madrid
After the match, the 26-year-old opened up about his move from his boyhood team to the La Liga side, acknowledging that leaving Liverpool was "a big change" he felt was necessary at this point in his career.
Alexander-Arnold said: "It's a very proud moment for me. It's a moment that most, if not all players, dream of at some point in their life. But it was very challenging to play in that heat and very different from England.
"It's the first time I've moved clubs. I didn't know what to expect and it's a big change but I'm loving every single minute of it. In my mind and in my heart, I know that I made the right decision for me."
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