It has taken just one La Liga game at Real Madrid for Trent Alexander-Arnold’s new supporters to notice a major flaw in his playing style. The right-back, long regarded as one of the best in the world in his position, was at the centre of this summer’s biggest transfer saga when he chose to end a 20-year spell with boyhood club Liverpool.
Los Blancos’ hierarchy paid a £10 million fee to secure the 26-year-old before his contract expired, allowing him to join Xabi Alonso’s squad in time for their revamped Club World Cup campaign. In five appearances, he registered two assists, offering glimpses of the creative spark that made him such a standout at Anfield.
However, on his La Liga debut against Osasuna on Tuesday - decided by a single Kylian Mbappe goal - the England international came under heavy criticism for the very trait that earned him widespread acclaim in the Premier League.
Trent Alexander-Arnold's Major Flaw in La Liga Debut
Trent Alexander-Arnold in action for Real Madrid
For as long as he has been on the scene, Trent’s defensive qualities have been questioned, with pundits such as Gary Neville often criticising that side of his game. This time, though, it is the sheer volume of crosses he has been delivering for Real Madrid that has raised concern among his new supporters.
Ironically, crossing is one of his greatest strengths. As one of the best passers in the sport - and the defender with the most assists in Premier League history - the Englishman thrives on creating clear-cut chances for teammates. But with neither Mbappe nor Vinicius Junior known for their aerial ability, there seems to be a stylistic mismatch within the Real Madrid attack, leaving his trademark weapon under scrutiny. Watch the highlights from his La Liga debut below:
Throughout his 68-minute cameo, Trent attempted seven crosses, but only one reached its intended target. While his overall passing accuracy was a lot better, with him boasting an 89 per cent success rate, those reacting to his performance online couldn't help but focus on the clear issues that stemmed from his deliveries into the box.
"Trent should realise crossing with those attackers is pointless," one X user said, "Mbappe is going to flop." A second added: "Hoof ball." Elsewhere, a third remarked: "Somebody tell Trent the number 9 in the box doesn’t do headers so the crosses should be low ones," as a fourth said:
"I questioned the Trent signing and my questions have only increased. Crossing the ball to Mbappe and Vinicius makes no sense because they’re not target men. I think he’s better suited in the middle, otherwise it’s a bit of a pointless signing."
Real Madrid
Another said: "Trent and Carreras crossing the ball to Mbappe to head the ball. Who's gonna tell them?" But one more optimistic supporter suggested, Trent may simply “need more time to build chemistry with his new teammates.” Still, given the notoriously impatient nature of the Spanish media - something Gareth Bale experienced first-hand several years ago - he will be eager to adapt quickly to the playing styles around him.
Mbappe faced a similar challenge in the early months of the 2024/25 season, adjusting to an unfamiliar role as a central striker after years of operating on the flanks for Monaco and PSG. Yet, he ended the campaign as the winner of the European Golden Shoe - a reminder that Trent’s early struggles are far from cause for alarm.