Trent Alexander-Arnold had a tough evening despite Real Madrid winning in Vigo on Friday
Jurgen Klopp’s work with Trent Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool has come under scrutiny(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA, Getty Images)
Things continue to prove difficult for Trent Alexander-Arnold despite his Real Madrid team clinching a last-minute victory at Celta Vigo on Friday. The ex-Liverpool defender was among those targeted for criticism in the Spanish press, with Fede Valverde’s late winner for Los Blancos doing little to dampen that criticism.
Aurelien Tchouameni put Madrid ahead early on following a neat corner routine, only for Borja Iglesias to level the score when Williot Swedberg made Alexander-Arnold look ordinary before feeding his team-mate. The right-back was found wanting again as Iago Aspas came within a whisker of putting the hosts ahead but ultimately Valverde’s deflected shot shattered Celta hearts deep into extra time as the hosts appealed in vain for a foul on Fer Lopez.
There was a more positive contribution from Alexander-Arnold at 0-0 when his perfectly-weighted pass from deep found Vinicius Junior. The forward’s attempt rebounded off the post, though, and the through-ball was swiftly forgotten.
With Madrid facing Manchester City in the Champions League round of 16 on Wednesday, some media outlets voiced concern – not just about their new right-back – with the feeling that another lacklustre performance would be penalised more harshly. However, in criticising the summer signing, some provided a reminder of former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp’s use of the player at Anfield.
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“Don’t be shocked by Alexander-Arnold. He’s always been like this,” Marca said in their write-up. “Klopp said it himself right after leaving Liverpool: ‘I just failed to teach him how to defend.'”
“Anyone who regularly watches Liverpool knows that Trent isn’t exactly a defensive hound; his strength lies in pushing forward and distributing the ball with his exquisite passing. But defending? Forget it, as was proven once again with Celta’s first goal. The only question is whether he doesn’t know how or simply doesn’t want to.
“So if you’re a Real Madrid fan, don’t get angry with the English full-back if you don’t like his defensive performances. If anything, be angry with whoever signed him.”
Alexander-Arnold was criticised after Celta Vigo’s equaliser(Image: Denis Doyle, Getty Images)
Klopp did actually defend Alexander-Arnold’s defensive strength during his time at Anfield. However, some shortcomings were on show at times in England as well as in Spain.
Sport
Alexander-Arnold received a poor rating of three out of 10 when Sport assessed Madrid’s players. “Trent’s situation is very worrying,” the publication said when focusing on the 27-year-old.
“The Englishman is a problem in defence for Real Madrid, as demonstrated by Celta’s first goal. He was very weak defensively and completely outmatched in every aspect of the game.
“To make matters worse, he’s lost what little he contributed in attack. If Carvajal recovers somewhat, he’ll be back in the starting line-up.”
Mundo Deportivo
Borja Iglesias scored after Williot Swedberg beat Madrid’s right-back(Image: MIGUEL RIOPA, AFP via Getty Images)
It was a comparable narrative in Mundo Deportivo, who emphasised it wasn’t the first occasion the right-back has been found lacking this term. Alexander-Arnold is merely a few months into his six-year contract at the Bernabeu but some expected him to deliver more by now – regardless of injury issues making it a stop-start campaign.
“Tchouameni gave Real Madrid an early lead, but Celta Vigo quickly equalised through Borja Iglesias, in a move that once again exposed Trent Alexander-Arnold’s shortcomings this season,” they wrote. The English right-back, a shadow of his former self at Liverpool, arrived at Real Madrid with the reputation of a superstar, but as a Real Madrid player, he’s a complete flop.
“Trent’s lack of motivation, sluggishness, and poor positioning for the 1-1 equaliser were appalling. Swedberg had free rein over him before laying the ball off to Borja Iglesias, who fired past Courtois, once again the best player on his team.”
Cadena SER
The coverage at Cadena SER made for even more painful reading for Alexander-Arnold. However, the publication did at least recognise his contribution to the opening goal.
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“It’s clear that Trent Alexander-Arnold’s adaptation to Real Madrid has been difficult, but in the few minutes he’s played this season, due to injuries, he’s already made headlines,” the publication’s write-up read. “The Englishman proved to be one of the best right-backs in the world at Liverpool, but his strengths aren’t the typical ones associated with the position.”
Cadena SER also highlighted the scathing assessment on commentary, most notably from Carrusel Deportivo’s Antonio Romero. “He can’t win a single duel,” Romero said.
“I have no problem with the lad. It’s obvious Trent has a good touch; it’s obvious he delivers brilliant crosses. But at right-back he’s a disaster. He doesn’t use his body, he doesn’t intercept, he doesn’t sprint, he doesn’t press, he doesn’t play the offside trap.”
AS
Over at AS there was an acknowledgement the attacking qualities displayed by Alexander-Arnold, both in the build-up to Tchouameni’s opener and Vinicius’ strike against the woodwork moments before. Nevertheless, they also couldn’t ignore his defensive frailties after they were exposed in the first half.
“Williot, a recurring nightmare for Real Madrid, fought for a ball on the right. Trent, alarmingly, lost the challenge and the physical battle, failing to close down the Swede and allowing him to gift Borja Iglesias the goal,” they reported.
“A goal of shared authorship, another yellow card for the Englishman, a good winger, a poor full-back,” their assessment concluded. Whether Alexander-Arnold retains his position when City arrive on Wednesday remains uncertain.
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