The former Liverpool defender has fallen out of favour in Spain.
Athletic Club v Real Madrid CF - LaLiga EA Sports Trent Alexander-Arnold right-back of Real Madrid and England during the La Liga EA Sports match between Athletic Club and Real Madrid CF at Estadio de San Mames on December 3, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain. Bilbao Basque Country Spain PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRA Copyright: xJosexBretonx originalFilename:bretonhernandez-athletic251203_npy8K.jpg
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s move to Real Madrid was supposed to be the next big chapter in his career after bringing an end to his long spell at Liverpool.
However, things have not quite gone to plan for the England international, who is finding regular first-team football increasingly difficult to come by under Jose Mourinho.
The right-back was once an essential part of how Liverpool played, with his passing ability and creativity making him one of the most important players in the team.
But his situation in Madrid is now very different.
Alexander-Arnold has struggled to establish himself as a regular starter this season, making just seven appearances in all competitions and playing 345 minutes.
He has managed one assist but has spent plenty of time watching from the sidelines.
Mourinho has also made it clear that he has other options available at right-back.
The Portuguese coach requested the signing of Denzel Dumfries, while Federico Valverde has even been preferred in the position ahead of Alexander-Arnold.
That has naturally led to questions about the defender’s future, with reports suggesting he could consider leaving the Spanish giants when the January transfer window opens.
Liverpool have been linked with a sensational reunion, but despite his struggles, he appears determined to continue to fight for his place in Spain.
Jose Mourinho has now addressed those rumours and does not believe the former Liverpool star will be looking for an exit.
Speaking in a recent press conference, as reported by AS, the Real Madrid boss said:
“The first thing is that it hurts. I don’t like to create bad feelings for players, but good ones. Obviously when you build a squad with a base of two players per position and make a third player play, it’s something I don’t like.”
Mourinho went on to explain that his decisions are based on what is best for the team, rather than individual players.
He also revealed that both Alexander-Arnold and Dumfries have accepted his reasoning, insisting that there will be enough opportunities for everyone throughout a demanding season.
“I don’t think they’re going to ask me for any kind of exit,” he added.
While Mourinho’s comments may offer some insight, there is no getting away from the fact that Alexander-Arnold’s situation is becoming an interesting one.
At Liverpool, he was trusted to dictate games, take responsibility in possession and provide a level of creativity that few defenders in world football could match.
Now, he is having to fight for opportunities and compete with players who are not even natural right-backs.
There is still plenty of football to be played this season, and Mourinho is right to point towards injuries, suspensions and fixture congestion as reasons why everyone will be needed.
However, Alexander-Arnold will surely want more than the occasional appearance off the bench.
At this stage of his career, regular football should be a priority, particularly with international ambitions to consider.
Mourinho might not expect a January exit, but if things do not improve over the coming months, it would hardly be surprising if questions about his future become even louder.
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