Trent Alexander-Arnold has endured a difficult start to life at Real Madrid since his contentious departure from Liverpool last summer, facing injuries and criticism
Chris Burns Senior Sports Writer
10:23, 22 Feb 2026
Trent Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid last summer
Trent Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid last summer(Image: Getty Images)
Trent Alexander-Arnold's exit from Liverpool last summer ranks among the most controversial departures in Premier League history.
The 26-year-old swapped Anfield for Real Madrid after claiming two Premier League titles and the 2019 Champions League, among other trophies. However, sections of the Liverpool faithful ruthlessly jeered the talented right-back soon after he publicly confirmed his intention to depart following months of conjecture.
Alexander-Arnold's prolonged silence during intense speculation before his bombshell revelation clearly wasn't quickly forgiven. But the player's dream switch to the Spanish capital has fallen short of expectations thus far, for various reasons. Here, Liverpool.com examines how his recent months have played out.
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Anfield return
Alexander-Arnold likely didn't anticipate such a swift homecoming to his boyhood club. Liverpool welcomed Madrid to Anfield in the Champions League last November, mere months following his departure, and the atmosphere was entirely foreseeable.
The defender started the match on the substitutes' bench for Real.
Following Liverpool's opening goal, the home supporters were vocal, and their voices grew even louder when Alexander-Arnold entered the action with 10 minutes left on the clock.
Trent Alexander-Arnold left Liverpool as a Premier League champion
Trent Alexander-Arnold left Liverpool as a Premier League champion(Image: Getty Images)
The former Anfield favorite was met with a chorus of jeers as he entered the pitch. Supporters then deliberately chanted about Anfield icon Steven Gerrard and Alexander-Arnold's successor at right-back, Conor Bradley, in what appeared to be a pointed message to their ex-hero.
Real Madrid struggles
While Alexander-Arnold's switch has dominated the headlines, his displays on the field have failed to impress. The defender has had to navigate a swift change in management after settling in, with Xabi Alonso being ruthlessly dismissed in favor of Alvaro Arbeloa merely six months after his appointment.
On the pitch, Alexander-Arnold has shared right-back duties with Dani Carvajal. In September, only weeks after joining Madrid, the England international endured a significant setback when injury ruled him out for approximately six weeks. Spanish publications have also delivered harsh verdicts on his showings, with Marca labelling him "clueless and insubstantial."
In December, he was substituted through injury once more, during what had been his finest display for the club against Athletic Club, a game in which he registered his maiden La Liga assist.
Speculation suggested Alexander-Arnold had even been advised to find a new club this summer, with Manchester City and Bayern Munich reportedly showing interest. However, those claims have since been dismissed.
Following his first start in over two months last weekend, during which he provided an assist in the 4-1 victory over Real Sociedad, Arbeloa suggested Alexander-Arnold's prospects were, in fact, promising.
"Working with [Alexander-Arnold], he strikes me as a very intelligent guy, who understands the game very well, and quickly grasps what we want from him," Arbeloa told reporters after Saturday's game.
"He's not the typical full-back who's always going to be out wide, he can also play centrally. We want players to be able to interchange positions. We're lucky to have a player like that."
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It's a season he'll probably wish to forget, but staying fit and continuing to earn Arbeloa's praise will provide some redemption. Whether that proves sufficient to secure a place in Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad remains to be seen, however.