Trent Alexander-Arnold and Real Madrid were victorious on Friday night but that didn't stop criticism for the former Liverpool defender
Trent Alexander-Arnold during Celta Vigo vs Real Madrid
Trent Alexander-Arnold had a tough time despite Real Madrid beating Celta Vigo(Image: Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)
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It was another evening to forget for Trent Alexander-Arnold as his Real Madrid side left it late to win at Celta Vigo on Friday. The former Liverpool defender was among those singled out for criticism in the Spanish media despite Fede Valverde scoring a late winner for Los Blancos.
Aurelien Tchouameni fired Madrid in front early on after a tidy corner routine, only for Borja Iglesias to equalise after Williot Swedberg got the better of Alexander-Arnold and rolled the ball across for his team-mate to slot home. The right-back was left lacking again as Iago Aspas came a post's width of putting the hosts in front but ultimately Valverde's deflected effort broke Celta hearts deep into stoppage time.
There was a more positive contribution from the English defender at 0-0 when his perfectly-weighted ball from deep fed Vinicius Junior. The forward saw his effort come back off the post, though, and the through-ball was quickly forgotten.
With Madrid up against Manchester City in the Champions League in midweek, some media outlets expressed concern - not just about Alexander-Arnold - with the sense that another underwhelming display would be punished more severely. However, in criticising the defender, there was also blame pointed at the feet of former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.
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"Don't be shocked by Alexander-Arnold . He's always been like this," Marca's write-up read. "Klopp said it himself right after leaving Liverpool: 'I just failed to teach him how to defend.'
"Anyone who regularly watches Liverpool knows that Trent isn't exactly a defensive hound; his strength lies in pushing forward and distributing the ball with his exquisite passing. But defending? Forget it, as was proven once again with Celta's first goal. The only question is whether he doesn't know how or simply doesn't want to.
Borja Iglesias celebrates scoring against Real Madrid
Alexander-Arnold was caught out in the lead-up to Borja Iglesias' equaliser(Image: Miguel RIOPA / AFP via Getty Images)
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"So if you're a Real Madrid fan, don't get angry with the English full-back if you don't like his defensive performances. If anything, be angry with whoever signed him."
Alexander-Arnold was given a lowly score of three when Sport rated Madrid's players out of 10. "Trent's situation is very worrying," the publication argued.
"The Englishman is a problem in defence for Real Madrid, as demonstrated by Celta's first goal. He was very weak defensively and completely outmatched in every aspect of the game.
"To make matters worse, he's lost what little he contributed in attack. If Carvajal recovers somewhat, he'll be back in the starting line-up."
Mundo Deportivo
It was a similar story in Mundo Deportivo, who reiterated it wasn't the first time the right-back has been found wanting this term. Alexander-Arnold is only a few months into his six-year contract at the Bernabeu but it's safe to say he's yet to impress.
"Tchouameni gave Real Madrid an early lead, but Celta Vigo quickly equalised through Borja Iglesias, in a move that once again exposed Trent Alexander-Arnold's shortcomings this season," they wrote. The English right-back, a shadow of his former self at Liverpool, arrived at Real Madrid with the reputation of a superstar, but as a Real Madrid player, he's a complete flop.
"Trent's lack of motivation, sluggishness, and poor positioning for the 1-1 equaliser were appalling. Swedberg had free rein over him before laying the ball off to Borja Iglesias , who fired past Courtois, once again the best player on his team."
Cadena SER
Fede Valverde celebrates his winner against Celta Vigo
Madrid needed a late Fede Valverde goal to claim victory(Image: Irina R. Hipolito/Europa Press via Getty Images)
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Over at Cadena SER, it was more upsetting reading for Alexander-Arnold. However, the publication did at least acknowledge that the opening goal came after a corner from the 27-year-old.
"It's clear that Trent Alexander-Arnold's adaptation to Real Madrid has been difficult, but in the few minutes he's played this season, due to injuries, he's already made headlines," the publication's write-up read. "The Englishman proved to be one of the best right-backs in the world at Liverpool, but his strengths aren't the typical ones associated with the position."
Cadena SER also pointed to the brutal assessment from Carrusel Deportivo commentator Antonio Romero. "He can't win a single duel," Romero said.
"I have no problem with the lad. It's obvious Trent has a good touch; it's obvious he delivers brilliant crosses. But at right-back he's a disaster. He doesn't use his body, he doesn't intercept, he doesn't sprint, he doesn't press, he doesn't play the offside trap..."
AS
Finally, AS recognised the attacking contributions made by Alexander-Arnold, both for Tchouameni's opener and for Vinicius' effort against the post minutes earlier. However, they too couldn't overlook his defensive shortcomings.
"Williot, a recurring nightmare for Real Madrid, fought for a ball on the right. Trent, alarmingly, lost the challenge and the physical battle, failing to close down the Swede and allowing him to gift Borja Iglesias the goal," they wrote.
"A goal of shared authorship, another yellow card for the Englishman, a good winger, a poor full-back," the assessment continued. It remains to be seen whether Alexander-Arnold keeps his place when City visit on Wednesday.
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