Trent Alexander-Arnold has been backed to find form again by an ex-Liverpool teammate who says he is "too good not to" under Jose Mourinho, even after a difficult spell
Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold struggled during his first season in Spain
Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold struggled during his first season in Spain(Image: Hesham Elsherif/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Trent Alexander-Arnold has had a mixed time with Real Madrid so far, but his former Anfield teammate Adrian, who retired this summer and now works behind the scenes for Real Betis, is backing him to come good.
Jose Mourinho has taken over at the Bernabeu, and Real Madrid has also signed another right-back in Denzel Dumfries. But Adrian believes that Alexander-Arnold will show the kind of form that made him such a favorite at Liverpool.
"It was a mix of adapting to a new style and dealing with injuries," Adrian said when he was asked about the difficult debut campaign that Alexander-Arnold experienced.
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"That held him back. Expectations were sky‑high, and people wanted instant magic. But he’ll show the level he had at Liverpool — he’s too good not to.
"He’s so attack‑minded that he leaves space behind him, but he recovers well and has defended top wingers successfully. The midfield and right center‑back need to cover when he pushes forward, but he’s fast enough to get back.
"People slap that label on him, but you don’t play right back for Liverpool for years if you can’t defend. The coach just needs to find the right spot for him — he likes freedom.
Alexander-Arnold is hoping to have a big season at Madrid
Alexander-Arnold is hoping to have a big season at Madrid(Image: Manuel Queimadelos/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
"He has incredible passing, great vision, loves playing between lines, and switches play like few others. I’ve seen him hit cross‑field balls to Andy Robertson at Anfield countless times — right to his feet.
"He’s versatile. It’s not crazy to imagine him in the midfield. He needs confidence, the right mentality, and good physical form to get back to his peak."
Adrian was also asked about another former Liverpool man who is now at Real Madrid, Ibrahima Konate. The center-back departed the Reds at the end of his contract to move to the Bernabeu.
"Ibou is a monster — in the best way," Adrian, speaking to the Spanish outlet AS, added. "Fast, dominant in the air, rock‑solid defensively. He gives goalkeepers peace of mind.
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"He's ultra‑competitive and a born winner. Coming from a club that fights for everything, he has the personality and experience to shine at Real Madrid.
"I'm not big on comparisons, but I’d say he’s a mix of Antonio Rudiger’s aggression and strength with the ball‑playing ability of a young defender like Dean Huijsen.
"He hits diagonals, stays calm under pressure, and plays out from the back really well. I know him — he’ll be fantastic."
Liverpool.com says: Alexander-Arnold is too talented not to show that at Real Madrid, and the Reds have missed him. Konate should be a success in Spain too, though he has even more competition for a place in the team at center-back.