Trent Alexander-Arnold was omitted from Real Madrid's squad for the Madrid derby against Atletico on Sunday as he was reportedly punished for breaking the club's rules
Amie Wilson Sports writer, Michael Plant and Will Schofield Senior Sports Reporter
10:20, 23 Mar 2026Updated 10:22, 23 Mar 2026
Trent Alexander-Arnold during the UEFA Champions League last 16 second leg match between Manchester City and Real Madrid.
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Trent Alexander-Arnold was dropped over the weekend(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Former Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold's difficult week carried on into Sunday, with the defender allegedly excluded from the Real Madrid squad due to disciplinary issues.
The full-back was unexpectedly omitted from the starting eleven for the Madrid derby against Atletico on Sunday evening. The 27-year-old has featured in all of Real's previous four Champions League matches and prior to last week's triumph over Elche, had participated in five straight La Liga encounters.
Nevertheless, it was Dani Carvajal whom Alvaro Arbeloa selected at right-back on Sunday, with Alexander-Arnold supposedly dropped following his tardiness at a training session.
Trent Alexander-Arnold during the UEFA Champions League last 16 second leg match between Manchester City and Real Madrid.
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Trent Alexander-Arnold has had a mixed time at Real Madrid since his move from Liverpool.(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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According to Spanish publication Marca, Alexander-Arnold "arrived late to one of the final training sessions of the week", with Arbeloa sending a "clear message with a decision focused on discipline and dressing room order."
Marca further states that Arbeloa "respected the team's code of conduct and made the necessary decision to maintain order within the group"
The development follows a week during which Thomas Tuchel opted to leave the defender out of his extended 35-man England squad, reports the Mirror.
"I know it's a tough decision for Trent as it is for Ollie Watkins and Luke Shaw. These tough decisions come from the job," Tuchel commented on the choice. It's a sporting decision. We stick with Tino Livramento, Djed Spence and Jarell Quansah who can all play at right full-back.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is unlikely to be picked by England for the World Cup
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Trent Alexander-Arnold is unlikely to be picked by England for the World Cup(Image: PA)
"It's a tough one, it's a big name, a huge talent and a big career, but I know what Trent can give us and have decided to stick with the players we have."
Since departing Anfield last summer, Alexander-Arnold has experienced a mixed first season at Real, punctuated by two injury spells. He has participated in 25 matches for Los Blancos and earned praise for his performance in the Champions League double-header against Manchester City.
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Alexander-Arnold's recent reintegration into the Real squad has dampened speculation about a potential summer exit, with Spanish reports previously indicating Arbeloa was not entirely taken with the Liverpool academy graduate.
The defender could face off against the Reds again this season, having played against his boyhood club in November's Champions League match at Anfield. Should the Reds overcome Paris Saint-Germain and Real dispatch Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals, the two European titans would meet again in the tournament's semi-finals.