What should have been a night to remember will live long in Trent Alexander-Arnold's memory for different reasons as the Real Madrid defender was brought crashing back to Earth
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid CF gets injured during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Athletic Club and Real Madrid CF at San Mames
Trent Alexander-Arnold recorded his first Real Madrid assist before he had to be withdrawn against Athletic Club
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Former Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has suffered yet another setback in Spain following his latest injury. The England star was enjoying his best display for Real Madrid to date before he had to withdraw from Wednesday's 3-0 win at Athletic Club.
It took less than seven minutes for Alexander-Arnold to notch his maiden La Liga assist for Real as he teed up Kylian Mbappe for the game's opening goal. He also played a key role in Eduardo Camavinga's 2-0 finish, pinging into Mbappe at the back post before he set up his fellow Frenchman.
The Spanish media took pity on Alexander-Arnold and acknowledged the defender's promise before he had to come off on the 55-minute mark. Some accounts were more sympathetic than others, however, as Sport titled its report "Trent, a Real Madrid signing who continues to disappoint."
"Trent Alexander-Arnold is failing to take off at Real Madrid. His performances are unconvincing, and his physical condition doesn't allow him the time to adapt to his new reality and truly shine at the club," read one extract. "In a comfortable match for Real Madrid at Athletic Club's stadium, the joy couldn't be complete."
The report continued: "In Bilbao, Trent played his eleventh official match for Real Madrid. So far, he has accumulated 392 minutes of complete insignificance...Trent's muscle problems are compounding his lack of adaptation. Real Madrid gambled on a player with undeniable technical talent, but his inability to fight back is condemning him to be a failed signing."
According to Sport, Real are "already doubting" whether Alexander-Arnold's recruitment was "the right move." Madrid-based daily AS shone a light on the positive points of his performance before a dismaying outlook in light of his latest derailment.
"And it's especially painful for the player and for Real Madrid, as this new problem arose on the day Trent was having his best game in a white shirt," read the report. "It was a sudden burst of energy and a sudden halt, much to Xabi Alonso's dismay."
Real Madrid's Trent Alexander-Arnold receives treatment following an injury against Athletic Club
Trent received treatment at San Mames before being taken off(Image: (Photo by Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images))
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Alexander-Arnold appeared to be hurt when Athletic midfielder Alejandro Rego trod on his ankle. Replays showed the Englishman's joint bend at a worrying angle before he carried on with the game.
However, it proved a stretch too far after Trent seemed to feel something in his leg after a long-range pass in the 55th minute. He signalled for a replacement and was promptly taken off in place of Raul Asencio.
Alexander-Arnold was previously sidelined for around six weeks following a hamstring tear earlier in the season. All that amounts to a slow debut campaign thus far in Madrid, with the defender failing to hit the heights expected of him following a £10million move from Liverpool in the summer.
Earlier this week, the player struggled to impress in Real's disappointing 1-1 draw against Girona. A separate report from Marca at the time even referred to the Three Lions star as "clueless" in one area of the game.
"Now that Trent is here, he seems like a clueless and insubstantial player, with the expression of a rabbit in the headlights," read the report on Sunday's draw. "His quality at set pieces is masked by his right foot, but in open play he is non-existent."
As if to issue a direct response to that challenge, Alexander-Arnold proved his impact from open play with two incisive contributions at San Mames. However, the trip to Bilbao ultimately ended in disappointing fashion following his latest injury.
The extent of Alexander-Arnold's newest strain remains unknown but is hardly ideal for Real chief Xabi Alonso. The Reds legend is already coping with the absence of injured captain Dani Carvajal, leaving Federico Valverde to potentially fill in at right-back again if Alexander-Arnold is looking at another spell out of action.
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