Trent Alexander-Arnold has been warned he is not a guaranteed starter for Real Madrid after he was benched by Xabi Alonso on Sunday.
Alexander-Arnold and Vinicius Jr were surprisingly named among the substitutes for Real Madrid’s second LaLiga match of the season against Real Oviedo.
Alonso instead named club captain Dani Carvajal and Rodrygo in his starting line-up, despite reports linking the latter with an exit before the transfer window closes.
A Kylian Mbappe brace and stoppage time goal from Vinicius, who came on in the 63rd minute, saw Real Madrid earn a 3-0 win over the newly promoted side.
Alexander-Arnold was afforded only a small cameo, with the full back coming off the bench in the 87th minute.
It marked a major shift from Alexander-Arnold’s time at Liverpool, where he had been among the first names on the teamsheet during his nine seasons in the first team set-up.
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In his final season at Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold made 44 appearances in all competitions with 37 of those coming as a starter.
Real Madrid boss Alonso has warned a place in his starting line-up is not guaranteed, but claimed each member of his squad would be important regardless of their role.
‘We have more than 20 players in the squad and I’m going to try to get the best out of all of them,’ Alonso said post-match.
‘Sometimes they can be starters and be important, or play just a few minutes and be important.
‘I haven’t made any decisions for the next month. I want people to feel important, ready, to be there for the next game.’
Alonso had last week refused to confirm whether Alexander-Arnold or Carvajal will be his first choice right back this season, stressing the two ‘exceptional’ players will be vital due to vast number of matches they will play this season.
However, according to the Athletic, people close to Carvajal believe he will keep his place in Real Madrid’s starting line-up at Alexander-Arnold’s expense.
Carvajal, 33, had been out for the majority of the 2024-25 season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
The club legend, who has made 430 appearances and won 26 major trophies at Real Madrid, returned from the injury at the end of last season.
Carvajal will be looking to pick up where he left off after finishing fourth in the Ballon d’Or voting in 2024 after a remarkable season for club and country.
He had earned the nomination after winning La Liga, the Spanish Super Cup and Champions League with Real Madrid in the 2023-24 season, with the full back scoring in the final of the latter.
Carvajal went on to win Euro 2024 with Spain the same summer.
His return to the starting line-up looks set to provide Alexander-Arnold with a challenge, following his £10million move from Liverpool.
Real Madrid had forked out the transfer fee to sign him prior to the FIFA Club World Cup, despite having been available on a free transfer when his contract was due to expire at the end of June.
Alexander-Arnold has made seven appearances for Real Madrid to date, but had been criticised by a section of fans, as well as Liverpool supporters, for his underwhelming LaLiga debut against Osasuna last week.
