Trent Alexander-Arnold made headlines after being left out of England’s latest squad for the World Cup by manager Thomas Tuchel, before being left on the bench for Real Madrid’s game against Atletico Madrid.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has fallen out of the England squad after a difficult debut season at Real Madrid. (Image: Getty Images)
Former Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold posted a message saying: “Only Real Madrid and nothing else” after disparaging England and Los Blancos.
Alexander-Arnold was on the bench for the Madrid derby between the Spanish giants and Atletico Madrid, but was brought on to score Vinicius Junior’s winning goal as Alvaro Arbeloa’s side won 3-2.
The 27-year-old made headlines after he was left out of Thomas Tuchel’s 35-man Three Lions squad for the upcoming international break in favor of Tino Livramento and Jed Spence. Later, he was late for a meeting to prepare for a match against a rival in the city, so he was replaced by a substitute.
His departure from Liverpool was controversial on Merseyside as his contract expired before he joined international team-mate Jude Bellingham at the Bernabéu. A week after the full-back made headlines again, he posted on his Instagram: “Not only Real Madrid, nothing else.”
Immediately after the game ended, Alexander-Arnold was brought on to replace veteran Dani Carvajal. The England full-back was dropped to the bench after starting both games in the Champions League win over Manchester City after reportedly breaching the club’s ‘code of conduct’.
After the win, Arbeloa said: “Every game I choose the best starting lineup. Dani Carvajal played very well and I’m very happy with him.”
“Trent has had a big impact and we are fortunate to have a lot of good options and everyone is contributing like they were today. “Once again, I choose the best lineup for the team in every game.”
Real Madrid remain four points clear of league leaders Barcelona after taking the lead in a thrilling five-goal game against Atletico Madrid.
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Vinicius Junior scored twice, including the winning goal 18 minutes from time after an Alexander-Arnold pass, to beat Diego Simeone’s side, but Federico Valverde was shown a straight red card and the match was outnumbered and they were forced to defend in the final stages.
Alexander-Arnold has been plagued by injuries this season, with his integration period in the Spanish capital hampered by a series of injuries.
Tuchel explained the reason behind the disdain, saying: “We know very well what Trent can offer us.
“I have played against him many times and struggled against my team at Liverpool, so I know his strength and what he can give.
Trent Alexander-Arnold quickly returned to his former club Liverpool with Real Madrid in November. (Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside, Offside via Getty Images)
“But at the moment it seems like we’ve got evidence of how good we were in September, October and November. And the players who are in camp at right-back have to push for their tickets, they have to compete and they have to show again that they deserve this.”
He made 14 appearances for Los Blancos in La Liga and seven in the Champions League, but he hasn’t quite replicated the creativity he showed over the years with Liverpool, registering just three assists in the league.
An injury early in the season limited his appearance in the game at Anfield, and he came on with nine minutes remaining, although his former club won 1–0 with a goal from Alexis Mac Allister.
If Liverpool defeat Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid to end Harry Kane’s hopes of joining Bayern Munich, there is still a chance that Alexander-Arnold will be reunited with his former club in the Champions League knockout stages, with the possibility of them facing each other in the semi-finals.
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