Trent ALEXANDER-ARNOLD of Real Madrid during the LaLiga match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Spotify Camp Nou Stadium on May 10, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain.
Trent ALEXANDER-ARNOLD of Real Madrid during the LaLiga match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at Spotify Camp Nou Stadium on May 10, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain.
Trent Alexander-Arnold left Liverpool for Real Madrid on a free transfer in the summer of 2025, chasing new challenges and the chance to prove himself at the biggest club in Spain.
Some 16 months later, the former Anfield vice captain is struggling to hold down a place in Jose Mourinho’s side, and he watches more matches from the bench than he starts.
The Athletic’s Madrid correspondent Guillermo Rai describes a stop-start spell that began badly when two muscle injuries kept him out for around 100 days last season.
Madrid strengthened the position this summer by signing Denzel Dumfries from Inter for €20 million and the Netherlands international has since started seven of their 12 games, while Alexander-Arnold has started only four.
Federico Valverde has also been used at right back, most recently against Sevilla and RB Leipzig, which suggests the Englishman has slipped to third choice in Mourinho’s thinking.
Attempts to find him another role have not worked either as Mourinho tried him in midfield against Inter in the Champions League, but according to The Athletic he “failed to convince”.
It remains to be seen how his technical qualities, which nobody doubts, can be best used in a team where Jude Bellingham is now flourishing as a number 10.
Struggles like these would usually prompt talk of a move, and a return to the Premier League would be the obvious one.
Those close to Alexander-Arnold insist that is not in his thinking.
Speaking anonymously to protect relationships, sources close to the player told The Athletic there is nothing to suggestions that he is unhappy or already considering an exit, barely a year into a six year contract.
They say he intends to stay and fight for his place in Madrid and that stance will interest Liverpool supporters, many of whom remain divided over the manner of his departure.
It comes at a time when the club are short of senior options on the right side of defence.
Conor Bradley is still recovering from a serious knee injury and Jeremie Frimpong is sidelined with a fresh muscle problem, so Andoni Iraola has spent much of the season relying on Ronald Araujo, a natural centre back, to fill the gap.
For now, a return to Anfield looks fanciful, given both his long contract in Spain and the circumstances in which he left.
Still, his situation stands in sharp contrast to the success Bellingham and Anthony Gordon have had in La Liga this season.
Alexander-Arnold made more than 350 appearances for Liverpool and won every major trophy available, so sitting behind Dumfries and Valverde is a long way from where he expected to be.
His position may be firm today, but if his minutes do not improve by the summer, his resolve to stay could be tested.
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