Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold emerged as a surprise target for Liverpool late in the transfer window after a slow start to the 2026/27 La Liga campaign
Trent Alexander-Arnold is in his second season with Real Madrid(Image: Getty Images)
Trent Alexander-Arnold didn't emerge as a Ballon d'Or contender in the fashion he planned after swapping his boyhood club Liverpool for Real Madrid last summer.
His 2026/27 campaign isn't off to a much stronger start, as new coach Jose Mourinho named him to the bench in each of his side's first two La Liga fixtures. Rumors swirled on social media that either Newcastle or his old club could come in with a late bid or loan offer to guarantee Alexander-Arnold playing time for the upcoming campaign.
The reports turned out to be unsubstantiated: TeamTalk confirmed that Real Madrid has no interest in selling the English international even after a poor first year in Spain.
Alexander-Arnold will fight for his place alongside 2026 summer arrival Denzel Dumfries, preferred by Mourinho despite his late Madrid arrival because of the World Cup.
The former Liverpool player came on for the Dutch international in Los Blancos' 2-1 opening La Liga win over Espanyol, with the game level at 1-1.
Trent Alexander-Arnold
Coach Jose Mourinho directs Trent Alexander-Arnold during the Liverpool preseason(Image: Getty Images)
Alexander-Arnold skied a pass, meant to be a switch, into the Bernabeu crowd. Mourinho couldn't believe it and threw his arms up in disgust on the Madrid bench.
Even with his tough start to the season, the right-back would likely waltz into the Liverpool starting XI after Jeremie Frimpong's shaky 2026/27 Premier League debut.
However, Alexander-Arnold's relationship with the fans would benefit from some improvement. He spoke of the online abuse he's received since his Anfield exit in a recent interview.
“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."
"Online abuse, and the threats that come through private messages on social media, or by other means, are a sad part of life in 2026, if you are a public figure and doing things that draw a lot of attention," he added.
-He continued: "I can accept that, knowing that it does not represent the football club I love, Liverpool, and does not represent my city. The whistling, and the disappointment from Liverpool fans, is something I can completely handle. I can understand it in my own way".