Trent Alexander-Arnold's move to Real Madrid looks to be going from bad to worse under Jose Mourinho, with the former Liverpool vice-captain seemingly out of favor at the Bernabeu
Trent Alexander-Arnold has struggled to nail down his spot in Real Madrid's team
Trent Alexander-Arnold has struggled to nail down his spot in Real Madrid's team(Image: Getty Images)
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been made Jose Mourinho’s "fall guy" at Real Madrid, according to one expert on European soccer, with the former Liverpool star’s move to the Bernabeu seemingly not going to plan.
The 27-year-old has been at the Bernabeu for over a year now, having made the much-vaunted move from Anfield after a long saga over his contract. Having been a cornerstone in Liverpool’s success over the years though, winning two Premier League titles and a Champions League among other trophies, his impact has been much smaller in the Spanish capital.
Alexander-Arnold’s first season in Madrid was marred by injuries, resulting in him making just 30 appearances across all competitions, including 22 starts. Since Mourinho’s return as manager, his opportunities have dwindled even further.
The Reds’ former vice-captain has started just two of Real’s six games so far this season, with summer signing Denzel Dumfries being preferred at right-back.
Alexander-Arnold was left on the bench for Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano — the second time that has happened this season — just days after Mourinho had played him in midfield against Inter Milan in the Champions League.
That move into the engine room came as Real had a number of its usual options out suspended, with Mourinho even going on to admit that he doesn’t see Alexander-Arnold as a midfielder. And European soccer expert Andy Brassell believes the England international has been unfairly treated, with Real’s fans also seemingly not pulling any punches with him.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is out of favor under Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid
Trent Alexander-Arnold is out of favor under Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid(Image: Getty)
"Real Madrid have been here a million times before," Brassell told talkSPORT. "And really, who's the fall guy for that? Trent Alexander-Arnold.
"Now, you can be standing there if you're him going, 'Getting booed off isn't that bad. It happened to Cristiano Ronaldo and he scored more than a goal a game for nine years, so I must be doing something right.'
"It's because he's been put in this really, really difficult position. I know he has pretensions to play in midfield long-term. Maybe that's his best chance of getting a game. But I think they would have been better doing that in a game against a Rayo Vallecano.
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"They did it against Inter because they didn't have an option, because they had three midfielders out with injury and suspension. That was a huge problem for them.
"I felt really sorry for Trent Alexander-Arnold, he was stuck in a spot that he didn't deserve to be in."
Alexander-Arnold will be hoping to earn a spot back in Mourinho’s side when Real travels to Elche on Tuesday, although reports in Spain are suggesting that a decision has already been made on his involvement against Atletico Madrid at the weekend.
Defensa Central reports that Alexander-Arnold is not expected to be in the starting XI for the Madrid derby, with Dumfries once again being preferred as Mourinho prefers the Dutchman’s more stable defensive contributions away from home.