Trent Alexander-Arnold divided Liverpool fans when he decided to leave Anfield for Real Madrid this summer.
Although his replacement, Jeremie Frimpong, will be sidelined until the international break, the Reds have fared well in the Premier League thus far without their former vice captain.
The defence has been a concern for Liverpool; they have surrendered a two-goal lead in both matches at the start of the season, but Arne Slot’s changes made the difference in a 3-2 win against Newcastle United on Monday.
Dominik Szoboszlai produced a sensational display deputising at right-back, and soon, Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez will be ready to ease the void left by Frimpong’s absence.
Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates after Liverpool beat Newcastle United
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
However, things are not panning out as hoped for Trent in Madrid, and as news breaks of Xabi Alonso’s executive decision on the Scouser, recent comments made by Reds legend Robbie Fowler appear directly applicable to the full-back’s situation.
Trent Alexander-Arnold loses his starting spot at Real Madrid
When speaking to Sky Sports, Fowler reminisced about his departure from Liverpool for Leeds United in 2001; his words will resonate with Trent.
“I would have loved to have stayed and played and finished my career at Liverpool, of course, I would have. Maybe being at Liverpool from when I was 11-years-old, to 27-28 when I left, maybe I took it for granted.
“Maybe I never understood what Liverpool was all about until I went.”
According to The Athletic, sources close to the situation have revealed Dani Carvajal will remain the first-choice option at right-back for Real Madrid after replacing Trent in the starting lineup for the win over Oviedo.
Trent endured an unspectacular La Liga debut, leaving Xabi Alonso far from impressed, and now it appears the 26-year-old faces an uphill battle to force himself back into the picture in Madrid.
Despite arriving early in Spain after Madrid paid £8.4 million to the Reds so Trent could feature at the Club World Cup, his displays have left a lot to be desired, with Liverpool supporters mocking the Scouser after his competitive debut against Al-Hilal.
He damaged his reputation with the Liverpool faithful by running down the final year of his deal at Anfield before moving to Real Madrid.
Although there are sections of the Reds supporters who still hold a lot of love for their former player, Trent suffered the wrath of Liverpool supporters after he spoke in fluent Spanish during his unveiling.
Trent Alexander-Arnold dropped a howler for Real Madrid
Trent had produced some abysmally poor displays during his time with the Reds, most notably during the 2-2 draw against Manchester United last season, but overall, his level was elite.
However, he has struggled to replicate that form in Madrid so far, and his La Liga debut, which resulted in his exclusion from the starting lineup against Oviedo, was arguably one of the worst displays in his career.
Trent Alexander-Arnold vs Osasuna Total
Touches 77
Possession lost (times) 15
Cross completion rate 14%
Long balls completed 0/4
Ground Duels won 0/2
Dribbled past (times) 1
Fouls 1
Statistics provided by Sofascore.
Indeed, it will take time to adjust to life in Spain – he spent his entire career at Anfield until this summer, and it is natural that there will be a period of adjustment.
Nevertheless, Carvajal, at 33, has been a mainstay at Real Madrid for 12 years, and taking the starting spot from the Spaniard will be no easy feat.