![\"Trent](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_GettyImages-2231071544.jpg\")
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s start to life at Real Madrid hasn’t gone entirely to plan(Image: Ion Alcoba Beitia\/Getty Images)<\/p>\nTrent Alexander-Arnold swapped Liverpool for Real Madrid this summer and now finds himself in a battle with Dani Carvajal for a starting place under Xabi AlonsoTrent Alexander-Arnold’s start to life at Real Madrid hasn’t gone entirely to plan(Image: Ion Alcoba Beitia\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Trent Alexander-Arnold started this summer by making the biggest decision of his career<\/a> \u2013 and he is now dealing with the consequences of that call<\/a>.<\/p>\n Alexander-Arnold<\/a> left behind his boyhood club Liverpool<\/a> in controversial circumstances<\/a> in order to join Real Madrid<\/a>. For those not of a Liverpool persuasion, it was a brave and exciting move which saw him link up with Jude Bellingham<\/a> under the management of Xabi Alonso.<\/p>\n The 26-year-old is extremely ambitious and previously admitted<\/a> he would like to revolutionise the right-back position and win the Ballon d\u2019Or. It\u2019s still early days with Real, but it\u2019s fair to say that things aren\u2019t going to plan for Alexander-Arnold yet.<\/p>\n The initial excitement of the transfer has worn off and now the reality is beginning to bite in the Spanish capital. Here Mirror<\/a> Football<\/a> takes a look at how Alexander-Arnold is getting on at his new club.<\/p>\n READ MORE: Chelsea at war with Liverpool over Rio Ngumoha as Premier League forced to intervene<\/a>READ MORE: Transfer News LIVE: Isak’s final decision, Donnarumma price, Man Utd and Arsenal latest<\/a>Club World Cup disappointment<\/p>\n Real paid \u00a38.4million to sign Alexander-Arnold<\/a> before he became a free agent at the end of June. That was quite the premium and showed how much the club valued his presence at the Club World Cup in the United States this summer.<\/p>\n Alexander-Arnold went straight into the team, starting five straight matches and picking up two assists for Alonso\u2019s side as they made it to the semi-finals. But he missed the semi-final with an injury and Real were demolished 4-0 by Paris Saint-Germain as the tournament ended abruptly.<\/p>\n He immediately claimed the right-back position then, with Dani Carvajal still recovering from rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in October. But things would change quickly.<\/p>\n Alexander-Arnold was not under any illusions over his status at Real, knowing that Carvajal was on the comeback from an injury. The 33-year-old is a Real legend and wasn\u2019t just going to surrender his position without a fight.<\/p>\n Alonso knew he couldn\u2019t just sideline Carvajal and that competition for places was desirable. \u201cIt’s not going to be about being fair or unfair, I’ll just have to divide what’s there,\u201d he said before the start of the season when asked about the right-back position.<\/p>\n \u201cI have many positions double-covered. This is one of those, with two exceptional players. Carva, who’s been training hard and is much closer to his original level by now, and Trent, from Liverpool. That’s amazing for improving the level of the squad. We’re going to be playing tons of games and we need to have that top level.\u201d<\/p>\n Alexander-Arnold won the initial battle when he started the opening La Liga<\/a> match of the season against Osasuna last week. Real won the game 1-0, but it didn\u2019t go to plan for the ex-Liverpool man on his first start in La Liga.<\/p>\n He gave away possession 15 times and was substituted in the 68th minute by Alonso. The manager\u2019s decision went down extremely well with the fans, who gave Carvajal a standing ovation on his return from injury.<\/p>\n The Spanish media, especially those that follow Real Madrid, are known for their strong opinions \u2013 and Alexander-Arnold copped some serious stick in the aftermath of that game. Carvajal\u2019s history at the club makes him a popular presence and therefore makes Alexander-Arnold task taller.<\/p>\n Warming the bench For the second La Liga game of the season, Alonso dropped Alexander-Arnold for Carvajal, who started the 3-0 win over Real Oviedo. The England international was limited to a few minutes as a late substitute \u2013 and then was fired a warning by his manager: rotation is unavoidable.<\/p>\n \u201cIt depends on what we need in terms of the game, the workload and the opposition,\u201d Alonso said. \u201cI haven’t made a decision for the next month. I’m going to see how we recover and to make sure that people feel important and ready to start, come off the bench or be able to be in the next game.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is important for the stability of the team’s performance. Today was a game to show that we’re still improving. We want to continue like this, now we’ll prepare for the Mallorca game before the break.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have twenty-odd players in the squad and I’m going to try to get the best out of all of them. Sometimes you can have a few minutes and be important, today Vini was important. My intention is that everyone contributes to the team. That’s going to be the norm.\u201d<\/p>\n Join our new WhatsApp community<\/a> and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package<\/p>\n This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more<\/a> \u00a343<\/p>\n \u00a335<\/p>\n Sky<\/p>\n![\"Trent](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_GettyImages-2224321612.jpg\")
Trent Alexander-Arnold is not a guaranteed starter(Image: Luke Hales\/Getty Images)Carvajal competition<\/p>\n![\"Xabi](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_GettyImages-2231870299.jpg\")
Xabi Alonso says he will rotate his squad(Image: Denis Doyle\/Getty Images)Difficult La Liga debut<\/p>\n![\"Daniel](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/0_GettyImages-2231885008.jpg\")
Dani Carvajal is back fit for Real Madrid(Image: Bruno Penas\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"Content](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1755410056_114_0_Sky-Factbox.jpg\")
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