Jose Mourinho is set to undertake an experiment with the former Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, who tonight faces his ex-teammate Curtis Jones and Inter Milan
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid.
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid.(Image: Florencia Tan Jun - UEFA via Getty Images)
Former Liverpool duo Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones will face each other at the Bernabeu this evening as Real Madrid hosts Inter Milan in the Champions League.
And Jose Mourinho has moved Alexander-Arnold into midfield for the game, with Denzel Dumfries operating at right-back for Los Blancos. It is an experiment that he is thought to have been eyeing for a while.
Recently, Mourinho hinted that Alexander-Arnold would most often be paired with Yan Diomande when playing at full-back. But the ex-Liverpool man is in midfield today, with Brahim Diaz on the right wing. Another former Reds star, Ibrahima Konate, also starts, while for Inter, Jones is starting alongside Nicolo Barella and Hakan Calhanoglu.
"The team has always been good," Mourinho was quoted as saying by AS after Real Madrid lost to Real Betis over the weekend.
"I haven't seen the stats, but we created a lot. We missed three or four clear chances and their goalkeeper made three or four impressive saves.
"I didn't make changes because I wasn't happy; they were to take off the players who had been booked. It's better to play with Trent and Yan Diomande than with Denzel Dumfries."
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones.
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Curtis Jones will reunite this week(Image: MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Jones, meanwhile, has made a good start to life with Inter. He was instrumental in a 3-2 win over Napoli a few days ago when he was introduced at half-time.
Speaking during a press conference after the game, Jones told reporters: "I just feel at home with the lads. Since the first day, they've been unbelievable and so I can just be myself.
"Of course I've got a point to prove but I know that if I'm just myself, the lads will like me, the staff and the fans as well.
"There’s a reason I came here: the phone calls we had, how the team plays, his tactical ideas, and how he works every single day.
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"It’s the small things he says, things that might seem minor but end up having a massive impact.
"Plus, he has immense experience and played at the highest level himself. He’s managed the squad brilliantly. He’s ‘one of us,’ and to me, that’s fundamental."
Alexander-Arnold was denied another return to Anfield this season because UEFA rules stop a Champions League fixture from being played three times in a row during the group phase.
Liverpool will take on Jones, though, with a trip to the San Siro scheduled for January.