Trent Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid at the turn of last summer much to the revolt of loyal Liverpool supporters, but the full-back may have made a horrific decision
Trent Alexander-Arnold looks
Trent Alexander-Arnold is not a midfielder(Image: Getty Images)
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Trent Alexander-Arnold's new life with Real Madrid has taken a worrying turn, with Jose Mourinho suggesting that he will not be regularly utilised as a midfielder. The 27-year-old burned all bridges at Liverpool when he made the move to Los Blancos at the turn of last summer, with fans revolting at his decision.
Alexander-Arnold was booed by loyal Reds fans at Anfield after announcing his intentions to leave the club in May, with hopes of cementing his legacy among the elite past and present of the Galacticos. However, time has proven that the grass might not always be greener for the full-back.
The defender missed 22 games in total for Real Madrid in his debut season as a result of muscular issues, featuring for just 1,164 minutes in total. And while Alexander-Arnold will have hoped for more consistent gametime under Jose Mourinho in 2026/27, the arrival of Denzel Dumfries has further complicated matters.
The Dutchman landed at the Bernabeu this summer as a result of Madrid triggering his £17million release clause with Inter Milan. And the 30-year-old has hit the ground running with his new club this season.
Dumfries has started at right-back in three of Real Madrid's four La Liga games thus far, looking well and truly at home on Spanish soil. As a result, Alexander-Arnold was limited to just 10 minutes against Espanyol, unused on the bench against Real Sociedad, and deployed for 26 minutes in the club's most recent clash with Real Betis, which played out as a 1-0 loss.
While he did manage the full 90 against Malaga, it looks increasingly likely that Dumfries will be first-choice for Mourinho on the right-hand side of defence. As a result, Mourinho started the Merseyside-born talent in the centre of the park for Madrid's Champions League opener against Inter Milan on Wednesday - a game which finished 2-1 to Los Blancos.
However, the Portuguese head coach has since admitted that he will not look to utilise Alexander-Arnold in the engine room regularly this season. Speaking after the win, Mourinho said: "He has played midfield with England and Liverpool...but he is not a midfielder.
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"He has played very well. He has interpreted what he needed to really well, tactically. Both him and [Federico] Valverde have worked very well at this level."
He added: "He has lost some balls because it is not the same to play in this position compared to at right-back. The intensity of physical work is quite difficult.
"He has a different engine. He has given 100%. He left the pitch with nothing left to give."
It will come as a bitter blow to Alexander-Arnold's hopes of regular first-team football at Madrid this season, given just how experienced Dumfries is in his position, as well as the midfield talent that Real have at their disposal.
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Mourinho hits the nail on the head
Alexander-Arnold operating as a central-midfielder is a baffling decision to say the very least, considering just how much of the Englishman's game is taken away when he isn't available to run freely in wide areas.
Part and parcel of his early success with Liverpool was his ability to put a ball on a sixpence for attacking-minded team-mates, as reflected in the sheer amount of assists he was able to rack up in the late 2010s and early 2020s.
Statistically speaking, Alexander-Arnold managed 52 assists for the Reds between 2018 and 2024, reflecting just how dangerous the defender is on the front foot and when left to his devices. And for context, during his final season with Liverpool - in which he was largely deployed in midfield by Arne Slot - he managed seven in total from 33 appearances.
While history has shown that certain players can thrive after making the jump from right-back to the centre of the park, it's clear that Alexander-Arnold will not follow in the footsteps of Joshua Kimmich or Philipp Lahm - not at Real Madrid, anyway.
Jose Mourinho speaks
Jose Mourinho has spoken about Trent Alexander-Arnold(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
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He doesn't pass the eye test, looks sloppy in possession, and adds nothing more than the likes of Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga or Bernardo Silva already provide. While there is an argument that Alexander-Arnold could thrive within the Real Madrid set-up when played in his natural position, it's on him to prove to Mourinho why he should be starting over Dumfries.
That's no easy task considering the experience his team-mate has on him, as well as the sheer strength and athleticism that Dumfries bolsters. It's a sad state of affairs how Alexander-Arnold left Liverpool last summer, especially considering how much the club could use him this season.
Jeremie Frimpong has struggled for consistency on the right, and while he may have the edge in terms of dribbling and speed, looks far from promising on the back foot. While Conor Bradley is likely to take precedent upon his return, the Northern Irishman is still sidelined as a result of a knee injury sustained in January, and looks to be out until at least November.
Time will only tell if Alexander-Arnold is able to turn the tide in his favour in the Spanish capital, with all eyes on the squad announcement for Saturday's home clash with Rayo Vallecano to see if Mourinho has a change of heart.