Trent Alexander-Arnold has been heavily linked with joining Real Madrid once his Liverpool contract expires
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Ander Barrenetxea of Real Sociedad waits for the ball in front of Lucas Vazquez of Real Madrid
Lucas Vazquez received blame from Real Madrid supporters in the form of boos and whistles after Ander Barrenetxea's opening goal for Real Sociedad on Tuesday night
(Image: Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Over at Real Madrid - the club Trent Alexander-Arnold could reportedly leave boyhood club Liverpool for in a matter of months - Tuesday night ended in joy as Los Blancos qualified for the Copa del Rey final. However it came with trials, tribulations and sour feelings towards one player in particular.
Exiting the international break, rumours spread like wildfire of Alexander-Arnold negotiating terms for a summer switch to Real Madrid. As things stand with his Liverpool deal due to expire on June 30, the 26-year-old would run down his contract to leave the club he has supported and played for since childhood for free.
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He would supposedly trade his Anfield career in for a move to the Spanish capital, where nothing but the best is tolerated. That was evidently clear from the way the player he would stand to replace, Lucas Vazquez, was treated by his own fans.
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Carlo Ancelotti's side had won the first of their two-legged semi-final against Real Sociedad 1-0 in February, that match away from home.
But the advantage was dashed after only sixteen minutes of the Santiago Bernabeu's return leg. Ander Barrenetxea got in behind Madrid's right-sided full-back and made no mistake beating goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.
When talking about Vazquez, this is a player who has been a Madridista since childhood, playing for the club's youth ranks since the age of 16. He progressed through the C Team, B Team and eventually earned his senior debut in 2015, and now 33 years of age has totted up 389 appearances in the famous white strip.
In his time he is a four-time La Liga champion and five-time Champions League victor. What's more, last night and many times before as a natural winger he is tasked with deputising as a full-back whilst Dani Carvajal is injured.
So, what was the response when this player deserving of legend status made his one early error? A chorus of boos and jeers from Madrid supporters, say the Spanish media.
Vazquez, who would leave the club as his contract expires when Alexander-Arnold would be due arrive, was eventually taken off in the 79th minute though it would seem not down to the bad reception he got from his own supporters but rather Madrid's desire to spark change. By this time they trailed 3-2 on aggregate in the tie.
Late goals from Jude Bellingham and Aurelien Tchouameni looked to have changed the narrative but Mikel Oryarzabal's injury-time strike levelled up the scoreline over 180 minutes. Extra-time was therefore required, which was settled by a 115th-minute Antonio Rudiger goal.
This means Madrid have a final to contest against either one of their two greatest rivals, Atletico Madrid or Barcelona. Added to that they are still in a tight La Liga title fight whilst also competing in the Champions League quarter-finals against Arsenal next week.
Whether all of this serves as a distraction in their reported pursuit of Liverpool's No.66 or if their trophy-winning prospects are an added attraction to their transfer target, only time will tell.