Trent Alexander-Arnold has suffered another setback at Real Madrid, with new manager Jose Mourinho sending a clear message on the opening weekend of the La Liga season
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid.
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid.(Image: Hesham Elsherif/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Former Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold has been left out of the Real Madrid starting XI on the opening day of the new La Liga season with new boss Jose Mourinho selecting Denzel Dumfries instead.
Dumfries, who arrived from Inter Milan this summer, is the first-choice right-back heading into the game with Espanyol. Ibrahima Konate, who left Liverpool as a free agent, lines up alongside Dean Huijsen at center-back.
Fellow full-back signing Marc Cucurella, who was a big-money addition from Chelsea, is also on the bench alongside Alexander-Arnold. Bernardo Silva, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr are all in the team, with Yan Diomande a substitute.
Alexander-Arnold has admitted that he can "understand" why Reds fans booed him when he returned to Anfield with Real Madrid in the Champions League last season.
"The booing and disappointment from Liverpool supporters is something I’m absolutely able to shoulder," Alexander-Arnold told the Mirror.
"I can understand it, in my own way. I heard a lot during that period that Liverpool fans didn’t want to be told how to feel or think, and I agree.
Trent Alexander-Arnold during a Real Madrid training session.
Trent Alexander-Arnold during a Real Madrid training session.(Image: Federico Titone/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
"But I hope one day there’ll be a degree of understanding about the decisions I wanted to make around my own life.
"It hurts because of how much I’ve put into the club over the course of 20 years and the sacrifices I made for the club during that period.
"So of course it hurts, but I understand the disappointment. I even understand anger expressed through booing."
Alexander-Arnold chose to move to Real Madrid for a fresh challenge. However, it has not gone to plan so far, with the 27-year-old missing the World Cup in the summer as Thomas Tuchel didn't select him.
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And while he angered Liverpool fans with his exit, Alexander-Arnold says he still watches every Reds game.
"I still watch every game," he said. "I support them. I want to see them do well.
"I enjoy watching them, and there will always be a place in my heart for Liverpool, no matter what. It is home to me.
"It’s the place that gave me the opportunities to go and do what I’ve done and I will always love it. It’s always a place that I’ll call home."