Trent Alexander-Arnold is nearing the end of his first season at Real Madrid and faces being left out of England’s World Cup squad amid fierce criticism in Spain.
This time last year Alexander-Arnold was facing boos at Anfield as he prepared to leave Liverpool – after running down his contract to line up a move to Real.
But his dream switch to the Bernabeu has not panned out as hoped so far, with Barcelona on course to win LaLiga and Real failing in the Champions League and Copa del Rey as well as last summer’s Club World Cup.
Injuries have limited him to 24 appearances this season, with Alexander-Arnold only able to clock 1,384 minutes on the pitch while setting up five goals.
Spanish media: “Trent has shown more weaknesses than strengths”
England head coach Thomas Tuchel has already expressed doubts over a place in his squad for the World Cup – and Spanish newspaper MARCA delivered a withering verdict on his season.
“In his first season at the Bernabeu, Trent Alexander-Arnold has shown more weaknesses than strengths, especially defensively,” journalist Miguel Angel Lara wrote.
“He has played significantly more than Dani Carvajal, but that hasn’t been enough to make England remember him.”
This follows familiar criticism from AS following Real’s Champions League at the hands of Bayern Munich last week – with Alexander-Arnold rated five out of 10 for his performance in the 4-3 second-leg loss.
Join TIA YouTube
Subscribe to This Is Anfield on YouTube
Join over 370,000 subscribers to get the latest LFC videos to your feed
“As the minutes wore on, he became the back line’s Achilles’ heel,” reporter Sergio Lopez wrote.
“He’s too passive for Bayern’s opening goal (even if most of the blame lies with Lunin) and, above all, he loses Harry Kane far too easily for the Germans’ second.
“Going forward, he was better: driving to the end line and delivering dangerous low crosses. His biggest issue remains defensive solidity.”
Though it was argued that Alexander-Arnold’s defensive deficiencies would be less exposed at Real Madrid, the narrative remains the same since his departure from Liverpool.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 11, 2025: Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold reacts as Arsenal score an equalising goal to make the score 2-2 during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Clearly his £8.4 million move has not proved a resounding success, and he has not been a guaranteed first-choice starter for either Xabi Alonso or successor Alvaro Arbeloa.
Liverpool have undoubtedly missed his quality this season, particularly as a playmaker, but there is a sense that with his injuries increasing, Alexander-Arnold may already be on the decline at 27.
His absence from Tuchel’s last four England squads – and almost certainly his final selection for the World Cup – only serves to highlight the malaise he finds himself in.