Trent Alexander-Arnold was an unused substitute in Real Madrid's second La Liga game, with Jose Mourinho making his feelings clear on the former Liverpool defender
Trent Alexander-Arnold was left on the bench during Real Madrid's latest La Liga game
Trent Alexander-Arnold was left on the bench during Real Madrid's latest La Liga game(Image: Urbanandsport/NurPhoto)
Former Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold was left on the bench during Real Madrid's 4-1 win over Real Sociedad, with new head coach Jose Mourinho sticking with Denzel Dumfries as his starting right back.
Madrid steamrolled Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, with Kylian Mbappe scoring a hat-trick in the opening home game of the 2026-27 La Liga season. Madrid won its opening game 2-1 on the road to Espanyol on Saturday, with Alexander-Arnold playing just 10 minutes.
UEFA rules have already denied Alexander-Arnold another hostile Anfield return in the Champions League this season, but Mourinho appears to have dropped him in favor of Dumfries. While Alexander-Arnold came off the bench against Espanyol, he was an unused substitute in Madrid's second La Liga game.
Madrid signed Alexander Arnold on a free transfer from Liverpool last summer, as the academy graduate ran down his contract at Anfield. Madrid did pay Liverpool $11.4 million to grant his early release, but it was a disappointing season with no silverware.
Alexander-Arnold first worked with former Liverpool star Xabi Alonso, and then played under fellow Anfield alumnus Alvaro Arbeloa, who has since joined Fulham. However, Mourinho made a dramatic return to Madrid this summer and appears to see Alexander-Arnold as his second choice.
Madrid signed Dumfries from Inter Milan this summer after triggering his $23.3 million release clause, and the Dutch right-back has started the opening two games of the season. During Alexander-Arnold's 10-minute cameo on Saturday, Mourinho was seen fuming at the English defender.
Jose Mourinho has selected Denzel Dumfries ahead of Alexander-Arnold this season
Jose Mourinho has selected Denzel Dumfries ahead of Alexander-Arnold this season(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
Alexander-Arnold, known for his passing ability, misjudged a pass toward the end of the 2-1 win over Espanyol, and the ball went out of play. Mourinho was seen throwing his hands in frustration before slumping into his seat on the bench.
While it's still early in the season, Mourinho's decision to start Dumfries in both games is a clear indicator of his tactics moving forward. Alexander-Arnold is contracted with Madrid through 2031, but has fallen out of favor in his second season under a third head coach.
Despite Alexander-Arnold's omission, Madrid continued its perfect start to the season as the club aims to reclaim the La Liga title from arch-rivals Barcelona. Wednesday's victory was secured by a 40-minute hat-trick from Mbappe, who is already leading the Golden Boot race.
Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick during Wednesday's 4-1 win over Real Sociedad
Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick during Wednesday's 4-1 win over Real Sociedad(Image: 2026 Getty Images)
"There is one thing that I don't like very much, but I have to do it," Mourinho said after Wednesday's 4-1 victory. "I don't like to speak individually when a team is a team. But what Kylian has done is crazy, a lot of quality.
"Scoring ability, the ability to create. When the team is in a difficult moment of creation, he is able to go down and connect with Jude (Bellingham) and make the team gain meters and build danger.
"But as I said, he has obviously played an incredible game. The team has always been a team. I like to refer to this. Even in the difficulties of the first half, the team has always been a team.
"And then in the second half, it is a great game of the team as a team. With a lot of individual performances of a lot of quality."