Former Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold was forced to play in a midfield role for Real Madrid in the Champions League, where he helped the side earn an important opening match victory
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid receives instructions from head coach Jose Mourinho during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Real Madrid C.F. and FC Internazionale Milano
Jose Mourinho has given his thoughts on Trent Alexander-Arnold's display in midfield(Image: (Photo by Alvaro Medranda/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images))
Jose Mourinho has given his honest thoughts on Trent Alexander-Arnold's display for Real Madrid in the Champions League triumph over Inter Milan, as the former Liverpool ace was forced to take up a midfield role.
It followed a bizarre set of circumstances for Los Blancos, which saw the side lacking midfielders, as a trio of Bernardo Silva, Eduardo Camavinga, and Arda Guler were banned due to previous red cards in the competition.
That, plus an injury concern for Aurelien Tchouameni, meant that Federico Valverde was the only fit and available midfield option at Mourinho 's disposal for the clash with Inter Milan, setting up a difficult first test of the Champions League. After much debate on how he would fix the issue, the manager opted to play Alexander-Arnold in midfield, a role he has played before for both club and country.
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The former Liverpool man performed admirably, as Real Madrid took a 2-1 win over the Nerazzurri in difficult circumstances, hopeful that it can kickstart a run towards a trophy this season.
While Alexander-Arnold impressed, Mourinho's assessment of the player came with something of a backhanded compliment for his overall display.
Speaking to the press after the game, the manager said: "In today's game, whoever decides the MVP was asleep, because if they don't give it to Courtois today, they'll never give it to him.
"That's not to take anything away from Valverde, who won it. But it's difficult to play with Trent [Alexander-Arnold], to whom I'm very grateful for the work he did. But his characteristics as a midfielder and the physical demands of playing at full-back or in midfield... it's a completely different set of demands."
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between Real Madrid and Malaga CF
Trent Alexander-Arnold could change position for Real Madrid in the Champions League(Image: (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images))
Mourinho was asked to elaborate on why he chose Alexander-Arnold over some of the other unorthodox options in midfield, to which he responded: "He played very well. He understood his tactical role perfectly. The runs of his number eights , Curtis Jones and Barella, both he and Valverde... they worked very well at this level.
"He had a few turnovers here and there, because it's not the same playing with the whole field in front of you as it is with half the field in front of you and the other half behind you. He's played there before with Liverpool and the national team, but he's not a midfielder, mainly because of the intensity.
"The specific demands of the physical work... it's a very difficult position. You need a completely different kind of engine than his, which is more typical of a positional full-back. And he gave his all.
"When he came on, he had nothing left to give. And I appreciate the effort he made for the team."
It certainly suggests that Alexander-Arnold won't be a regular in the midfield any time soon for Mourinho, but it won't have harmed his chances of featuring more regularly for the manager in the weeks and months ahead.