Former Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold's return to Real Madrid action didn't go down well with a club legend
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold has another positional rival at Real Madrid(Image: Getty Images)
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Trent Alexander-Arnold was done dirty by Spanish TV as tensions at Real Madrid took another turn in the wrong direction. The former Liverpool star returned to action after two months out injured when he came off the bench late on in Sunday's 2-0 win at Valencia.
However, he didn't replace right-back rival Dani Carvajal but academy graduate David Jimenez. Carvajal was left on the bench and didn't shield his disappointment as Alexander-Arnold trotted onto the pitch.
After Spanish TV coverage pointedly cut to the veteran defender sitting on the bench, he wore a glazed, perplexed look. While Carvajal has had injury problems himself, he has been available since early January and has played just 27 minutes since.
The 34-year-old was then spotted looking annoyed as he undertook post-match drills with Real's physical trainer. Meanwhile, per The Athletic, sources close to the player said he was "p***** off" about not getting on the pitch but would continue to train hard.
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Arbeloa, who recently stepped up from the B team to replace the sacked Xabi Alonso as head coach, played down his decision not to bring on Carvajal, insisting he "didn't want to take any risks".
But that did little to dispel rumours of a rift with Carvajal, whose contract expires in the summer. After 23 years at the club, there is a feeling in some quarters that Carvajal deserves better treatment.
Dani Carvajal as Alexander-Arnold went on instead of him
Dani Carvajal as Alexander-Arnold went on instead of him(Image: beIN Sports)
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The focus on Carvajal's situation will potentially increase the attention on Alexander-Arnold, who will be hoping to end a troubled first season in Madrid on a high. While Carvajal's possible exit this summer is potentially good news for him, it is clear he now faces fresh competition from Jimenez, 21, who played under Arbeloa in the B team.
There have been conflicting reports about Alexander-Arnold's future in Spain since Arbeloa took the reins. There were initially claims that he wasn't in the new boss's plans and had been told to find a new club this summer. Subsequent reports have said those claims are wide of the mark.
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid enters the pitch to replace David Jimenez as a substitute
Alexander-Arnold comes on for David Jimenez against Valencia(Image: Getty Images)
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Arbeloa addressed Alexander-Arnold's return to action against Valencia, saying: "After being out for a long time, we are taking the same approach with him as we will with others returning from injury.
"We are proceeding cautiously and calmly because what we want is for him to find his rhythm, his best playing form, and that's how it will be with Trent."
Real Madrid, who trail La Liga leaders Barcelona by one point, host Real Sociedad on Saturday.
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