Plenty was made of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s free transfer from Liverpool to Real Madrid over the summer months – and the Englishman’s La Liga debut for Los Blancos has been closely analysed by the Spanish media, but how did the 26-year-old perform?
There are a mere handful of Liverpool supporters that believe that the right-back had every right to move on. Others, however, are under the assumption that he left the club without a care in the world – especially as his departure didn’t result in a lofty fee.
His debut in Spain’s top flight, a 1-0 win over Osasuna courtesy of a Kylian Mbappe penalty, was the chance for Alexander-Arnold to prove why Real Madrid, one of the biggest clubs in world football, were so keen to have him on board. But things didn’t go to plan.
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Alexander-Arnold, widely regarded as one of the best defenders in world football, has been sent a not-so-subtle warning that his position under Xabi Alonso is not yet secure. He – alongside Eder Militao, Dean Huijsen and Alvaro Carreras – began the match on the right-hand side of Alonso's four-man back line.
Before being taken off in the 68th minute, he enjoyed 77 touches of the ball – one of which was in Osasuna’s penalty box – and 57 successful passes from an attempted 64 (89%). The accuracy of his crossing (1/7; 14%) also made for grim reading.
What made the defender so loved pre-departure on Merseyside was his ability to produce pinpoint long balls. But, as evidenced by his highlights package below, his vision – and ability to go long – didn’t pay dividends against Osasuna. He chalked up a success rate of 0% as none of his four long ball attempts worked.
Thomas Roncero, an editor at Spanish publication AS Diario, addressed his post-match concerns about Alexander-Arnold, who won two Premier League titles during his time with Liverpool in 2019/20 and 2024/25, which ended his 354-game spell on a high.
“He’s a player who, at the moment, isn’t up to the level of Real Madrid. I know what Real Madrid fans are like, and he’s a player who runs, who fights, who doesn’t feel cold, who wins the byline and can put it in… that’s not Trent at the moment,” Roncero said.
Unsure of how Alexander-Arnold – who will be worried about Dani Carvajal returning to fitness – fits into Alonso’s system at the club, the editor continued to suggest that he needs to learn the Spanish way of football if he is to become a success at his new employers.
“Has he been signed to be a full-back who plays in the middle? I doubt it. Has he been signed to be a full-back who plays short and takes corners? I doubt it. He’s a kid who’s been very important at Liverpool and has to adapt to Real Madrid.”
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As mentioned, Carvajal returning from his long-term injury will be a cause for concern for the 34-cap England international. The six-time Champions League winner, who will be keen to regain his spot in the squad, replaced him against Osasuna.
“He’s breathing down the neck of a player like Carvajal, who will overtake him as soon as he lets his guard down,” Roncero said, per talkSPORT, of Trent. “I expected more from him [Trent] at the start of the season. The rest [of the new signings] have delivered.”