Trent Alexander-Arnold only appeared late on for Real Madrid as it won the weekend's Clasico against Barcelona, where Kylian Mbappe scored twice at the Camp Nou
Kylian Mbappe celebrates with Trent Alexander-Arnold after scoring for Real Madrid against Malaga.
Kylian Mbappe celebrates with Trent Alexander-Arnold after scoring for Real Madrid against Malaga.(Image: Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
Trent Alexander-Arnold was on the winning side in this weekend's Clasico against Barcelona, but he was only introduced by Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho late on.
It follows a run of three successive games in which he was an unused substitute, with Alexander-Arnold's spell in Spain not having gone to plan so far.
Though there is no suggestion that he is tiring of being with Real Madrid yet, midfielder Federico Valverde has been used as a full-back ahead of him lately — he started at the Camp Nou — while summer signing Denzel Dumfries is ahead of him in the pecking order.
According to the Daily Mail, though things have not really clicked for Alexander-Arnold yet, Kylian Mbappe enjoys playing with the 28-year-old.
There was one trademark cross from the former Liverpool ace that teed the Frenchman up against Malaga earlier this season in a 4-0 win for Real Madrid, and Alexander-Arnold's quality going forward is appreciated by those around him.
But there remains a major question mark about how Alexander-Arnold fits in at the Bernabeu in the long term, with Mourinho far from looking like the ideal coach to get the best out of him.
Trent Alexander-Arnold played the final minutes against Barcelona
Trent Alexander-Arnold played the final minutes against Barcelona
While discussing Liverpool’s win over Villarreal last week, Gary Lineker said: "You mentioned [Ryan] Gravenberch went back to right-back. They've not quite replaced Trent, but there are a few rumors.
"He's not really getting much of a look in with Mourinho at Madrid at present. There are a few rumors that the boy Alexander-Arnold might go back."
Shearer responded: "That would be interesting, really interesting, wouldn't it?"
Lineker then gave his approval, concluding: "I think they’d take him back."
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Liverpool.com says: On paper, a move to Spain looked ideal for Alexander-Arnold to remove himself from the spotlight and have the focus be more on what he is good at than bad at.
Instead, though, he has dropped down the pecking order and missed the World Cup with England too, with Thomas Tuchel choosing to go with the center-back Jarell Quansah there instead.
A return to Liverpool is unlikely in the extreme, but he might have to have a think about his future if things don't change by the end of the season and he remains a squad option.