Fulham boss Alvaro Arbeloa discussed Trent Alexander-Arnold during his time at Real Madrid, after controversy surrounded his decision to start the former Liverpool full-back
Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa hugs Trent Alexander-Arnold during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Manchester City FC and Real Madrid CF
Alvaro Arbeloa was asked about Trent Alexander-Arnold ahead of Liverpool's clash with Fulham(Image: (Photo by Alex Dodd - CameraSport via Getty Images))
It has been a whirlwind year for Alvaro Arbeloa, as the former Liverpool right-back moved very quickly from his role coaching academy teams all the way to the Premier League.
The 43-year-old was drafted into the Real Madrid head coach role after Xabi Alonso's dismissal last season, giving him a first taste of managing a top club, having put in plenty of groundwork in his post-playing career.
It was a rocky few months, as Los Blancos went on to record a second consecutive trophyless campaign, while there was some locker room disorder that was made very public. Eventually Arbeloa left, with Jose Mourinho replacing him, and that led to him searching for new opportunities over the summer as clubs looked to embark on a new journey.
After several rounds of talks, the Spaniard eventually agreed to take over Fulham, bringing about a fresh journey for both the coach and the club.
This weekend, Arbeloa will take on his old club Liverpool in the Premier League, as the Whites go on the hunt for a first win after three defeats in the first three games of the Premier League season.
There are several connections with the former defender and the Reds, and that extends beyond his playing career. When it came to coaching in the past year, the Real Madrid interim was in charge of Trent Alexander-Arnold, the former Liverpool academy graduate who made the controversial move to the Bernabeu.
It was a difficult year for the right-back, though it was one that still saw him favored over club legend Dani Carvajal, which led to questions about a rift between the experienced defender and Arbeloa.
Daniel Carvajal of Real Madrid acknowledges the fans as he leaves the pitch during his final match for Real Madrid during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and Athletic Club
Dani Carvajal has been 'offered' to Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images))
Speaking about the situation back in April, Arbeloa responded: "It was a short, serious answer to a question I thought was out of place. It wasn't short based on Dani Carvajal. You can see, since I've been here, what my answers have been about him, and you can ask my players how I speak about Dani Carvajal with the group.
"People are trying to put an unjustified, unfair spin on this. He's more than ready to go to the World Cup. He's started games for us, and he's done well. He's a fundamental player, on and off the pitch, and for the national team it should be the same... He might be the most important academy product in the history of the club.
"I've always had a great relationship with him. It's hard for me to believe any coach would pick a team for non-sporting reasons."
However, Alexander-Arnold was the preferred option, as he elaborated: "Trent Alexander-Arnold is showing a great level. His performance is beyond doubt. Right now he deserves to play, and when he hasn't played, Carvajal has done well... I'm not a coach to gift a minute to anyone."
In the end, Alexander-Arnold played 19 games under Arbeloa, registering four assists, as he became the go-to man. Under Jose Mourinho, there is set to be more challenges, with Denzel Dumfries now at Real Madrid and competing for a starting spot.
As for Arbeloa, his challenge is now to pick up enough points to progress with Fulham. The manager has looked to implement a clear style of play, with an emphasis on building out from the back, but early defeats may put some pressure on him to starting picking up more wins.
That could all start with a trip to his former side, as Liverpool awaits next.