Former Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold has struggled to hold a regular place at right-back under Jose Mourinho, with the Real Madrid ace slammed for his latest display against Elche
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid with the ball during the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between Elche CF and Real Madrid
Trent Alexander-Arnold was slammed for his Real Madrid performance against Elche(Image: (Photo by Mateo Villalba/Getty Images))
Trent Alexander-Arnold may have failed to make his latest Real Madrid opportunity count, after the Spanish media slammed the former Liverpool star's defending in his most recent outing.
The right-back has been battling against Denzel Dumfries for a regular starting place this season, with the head coach seemingly preferring the Netherlands international after his summer arrival. Mourinho had started Dumfries at right-back for five of Real Madrid's six games this season, but he decided to give Alexander-Arnold another chance during a busy week of action in La Liga.
Los Blancos had seemingly got the game under control by the break, as a Matias Dituro own goal and a Kylian Mbappe finish gave the side a two-goal lead at the halfway point.
Then came an almighty collapse. Goals from Abiel Osorio and Fer Nino in the 71st and 83rd minute respectively saw Real Madrid lose its grip on a match it was in control of, leading to a late scramble for a winner, one that eventually came in stoppage time from Carlos Espi.
It was something of an escape for Real Madrid, ahead of this weekend's clash against city rivals Atletico Madrid.
It remains to be seen whether Mourinho will want to stick with Alexander-Arnold at right-back for that game, but it seems as though the former Liverpool man may not have done himself many favors in trying to land a regular starting position.
Trent Alexander Arnold of Real Madrid during the UEFA Champions League match between Real Madrid v Internazionale at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu
Trent Alexander-Arnold faces a battle to land the right-back position as his own(Image: (Photo by Maria Gracia Jimenez/Soccrates/Getty Images))
Spanish media outlet Sport tore into the defender's second start at right-back this season, giving him a rating of just four out of 10 for the evening.
The overall assessment of his display reads: "Offensively, he's an improvement on Dumfries, but in other aspects he leaves much to be desired.
"After floundering as a midfielder, he was involved quite a bit in the opposition's half, but once again demonstrated that he either doesn't like or doesn't know how to defend. Cepeda easily outpaced the full-back before delivering the cross for the home side's goal."
Mundo Deportivo gave a slightly different version of events in its report, using the word "discreet" to sum up his display, and stating: "He was good, nothing more, in defense, but he barely appeared in attack."
After seemingly preferring to pick Dumfries, Mourinho's lifeline to Alexander-Arnold in midweek may well have been wasted, though it remains to be seen what the manager's review of his display was.
With that opportunity coming and going for the England international, the head coach now has an important decision to make for the upcoming Madrid derby.
Alexander-Arnold's chances keep coming and going, and it's unclear whether he will be able to take one of them to truly cement himself in the team, or whether he will be reduced simply to cameo appearances and rotational opportunities.