Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho could be about to change Trent Alexander-Arnold’s position at the Bernabeu, with the team reeling from its first defeat of the season
Luke Thrower Trends Writer
10:52, 07 Sep 2026
Trent Alexander-Arnold could change position for Real Madrid in the Champions League(Image: (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images))
Jose Mourinho could be forced to shift Trent Alexander-Arnold’s position, with the former Liverpool star potentially facing the need to fill some gaps during a possible crisis for Real Madrid.
It comes as the right-back has faced an interesting start to the season, starting just one of three La Liga matches so far, as he competes with Denzel Dumfries for a role in the team. Alexander-Arnold is looking to kick on from a disappointing previous season, where injuries and a lack of momentum saw him lose form and lack the opportunity to find the form that he had in his time at Liverpool.
That’s what makes this season so crucial to his chances at the Bernabeu, though the introduction of Mourinho and Dumfries has thrown something of a curveball at the England international.
While Alexander-Arnold has not been the preferred option so far at right-back, an opportunity to shine could come for him in the coming days, due to a crisis within the Real Madrid squad in the Champions League.
Los Blancos play host to Inter Milan in the opening match of this season’s competition, but Mourinho’s squad is ravaged with a mixture of suspensions and injuries that are causing something of a headache.
Summer signing Bernardo Silva has carried over a one-match suspension to this year’s competition, following a red card he picked up for Manchester City against Real Madrid in last season’s round of 16 tie, which means he won’t be available for selection.
Arda Guler and Eduardo Camavinga are also both unavailable due to suspension, with the pair also getting sent off in their previous Champions League encounter, meaning they are not available.
KLAGENFURT, AUSTRIA – AUGUST 01: Jose Mourinho, Head Coach of Real Madrid, speaks with Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid during the pre-season friendly match between Real Madrid and Fiorentina at Woerthersee Stadion on August 01, 2026 in Klagenfurt, Austria. (Photo by Christian Bruna/Getty Images)(Image: Getty Images)
Add injury concerns for Aurelien Tchouameni and Thiago Pitarch to the mix, and Real Madrid has only Federico Valverde available as a natural midfielder.
That could open the chance for Alexander-Arnold to make his move into midfield, having played there a few times for both club and country.
While the former Liverpool star could make his move into the centre of the pitch, there is a chance that Jude Bellingham could play in a deeper role, prompting a change in the number ten position.
Defender Dean Huijsen has also been tipped to fill the midfield void, with Mourinho set to mull over his options over the following day before making his decision.
If Alexander-Arnold does feature centrally, then he could face off against an old friend of his. Curtis Jones now plays for Inter Milan, following his exit from Liverpool, with the two academy graduates likely to come up against each other in the tie if the positional change is made.
It remains to be seen whether Mourinho will make that call or not, but it could give Alexander-Arnold the opportunity to shine that has been missing so far.