Former Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has seemingly hit a new Real Madrid low with brutal details emerging over the decision to sign him
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been sent another brutal Real Madrid verdict
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been sent another brutal Real Madrid verdict(Image: (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images))
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Trent Alexander-Arnold is at the centre of a Real Madrid blame game after his latest setback. The former Liverpool star has endured a nightmare start to life at his new club, largely due to injury, and his performances are suffering as a result.
Spanish media singled out the 27-year-old for his role in Celta Vigo's late equaliser last Friday, even though Real went on to win the La Liga clash. A more in-depth report from Sport has since emerged, stating that Los Blancos' decision-makers are all trying to distance themselves from the Alexander-Arnold signing.
It has also been claimed that the briefing at the club is that the decision to bring him in was ordered by club president Florentino Perez, and that his signing was "a direct decision by the board without consulting the manager".
Real's current predicament at right-back has been described as "a serious problem" due to an injury to Dani Carvajal and Federico Valverde's unwillingness to play there. The report has further added that the Trent move was "exactly what Florentino likes" as he joined from an established Premier League club on a free transfer.
However, his addition was not what Real needed, as evidenced by his start in Madrid, especially compared to Alvaro Carreras and Dean Huijsen, who are labelled "managerial signings" rather than "presidential ones".
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Nonetheless, Alexander-Arnold will be hoping to put a challenging few months behind him with Real targeting La Liga and Champions League success.
One positive for Alexander-Arnold is that he has been able to play regular minutes since returning from injury in early February. He has started Real's last three games in all competitions and will be looking to make it four this week against some familiar faces.
On Wednesday evening, Manchester City head to the Bernabeu for the first leg of an enticing last-16 tie. The following Tuesday, the second leg takes place at Etihad Stadium.
The winner of that tie will face either Bayern or Atalanta in the quarter-finals. Liverpool are also on that side of the bracket and thus could face Real again after already beating them in the league.
Arne Slot with Trent Alexander-Arnold
Arne Slot and Trent Alexander-Arnold could reunite again if Liverpool and Real Madrid advance to the Champions League semi-finals(Image: AP)
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However, Arne Slot's side must first get beyond Galatasaray, who they also faced earlier in the competition but lost to, with the first leg getting underway in just a few hours in Turkiye.
Tottenham's trip to Atletico Madrid and Newcastle United hosting Barcelona is also scheduled for this evening, along with Bayern and Atalanta facing off in Bergamo.
Tomorrow's action is undoubtedly headlined by Pep Guardiola's side heading to the Spanish capital, but world champions Chelsea against holders Paris Saint-Germain is another marquee clash. Bayer Leverkusen host Arsenal in the early kick-off, with Sporting CP and Bodo/Glimt as the other last-16 tie.