Trent Alexander-Arnold could face another major Real Madrid setback this week as a Jose Mourinho decision looms ahead of the derby against Atletico at the Metropolitano
Trent Alexander-Arnold during a Real Madrid training session.
Trent Alexander-Arnold during a Real Madrid training session.(Image: David S. Bustamante/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
Trent Alexander-Arnold is reportedly set to face another setback at Real Madrid this week β though he could play against Elche in La Liga tomorrow.
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The Spanish outlet Defensa Central reports that Alexander-Arnold is not expected to be in the starting XI for next weekend's game with Atletico in the Madrid derby, with Denzel Dumfries preferred. Jose Mourinho is yet to finalize the pecking order at right-back and even tried Alexander-Arnold in midfield last week.
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Away from home, Mourinho is said to prefer Dumfries' more stable defensive contributions, rather than the passing of Alexander-Arnold. Ibrahima Konate and Dean Huijsen are set to be partners at center-back.
"I thank Trent Alexander-Arnold for his efforts to play in a position that is not his," Mourinho said after Real Madrid's 2-0 win against Inter Milan in the Champions League.
"Itβs very clear that his qualities are made for the full-back position, not for midfield. He has played midfield with England and Liverpool... but he is not a midfielder.
"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."
MADRID, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 08: 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 at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 08, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Alvaro Medranda/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Trent Alexander-Arnold was left on the bench by Jose Mourinho against Rayo Vallecano(Image: Getty Images)
Alexander-Arnold was filling in due to Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler and Bernardo Silva being suspended.
He was then back on the bench as Real Madrid beat Rayo Vallecano on Saturday and didn't make it onto the field.
"He has lost some balls because it is not the same to play in this position compared to at right-back," Mourinho added.
"The intensity of physical work is quite difficult. He has a different engine. He has given 100 per cent. He left the pitch with nothing left to give."
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Alexander-Arnold was left out of Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the summer's World Cup and he is yet to show his full potential more than a year after leaving Liverpool.
There are four Three Lions matches coming up in September, against Spain, Croatia and Czechia (twice). The roster for those fixtures will be confirmed on Friday.
Liverpool.com says: Alexander-Arnold is surely too good for things not to work at some point for him in Spain. Mourinho doesn't feel like the most obvious manager to get the best out of him, however, and the arrival of Dumfries has complicated things.