Once again starting against PSG this Tuesday in the Champions League last-16 second leg, Trent Alexander-Arnold disappointed. A top target for Florentino Pérez this summer, the English right-back made a poor intervention that cost him dearly.
For the past few weeks or months, Trent Alexander-Arnold has been closely monitored in Madrid. Known as one of the best right-backs in the Premier League, the 26-year-old is being pursued by Florentino Pérez and his team to replace Dani Carvajal and Lucas Vázquez at the end of the season. Out of contract with Liverpool next June, the Englishman has not extended his deal and is expected to join Real Madrid on a free transfer, according to reports from Fabrizio Romano and several reliable sources.
Concerns already growing over Arnold
However, in recent weeks, Trent’s defensive performances have been underwhelming. Highly regarded for his vision, shooting ability, passing, crossing, and attacking play, the Liverpool native is not particularly strong defensively. In England, several club legends have pointed out Alexander-Arnold’s defensive shortcomings. In a recent clash against Manchester City, he even broke the unfortunate record for the most dribbled-past player in a single match in years. As if that wasn’t enough, he confirmed his defensive struggles against PSG on Tuesday.
After Liverpool’s narrow victory at the Parc des Princes last week in the first leg of the Champions League last 16, things did not go their way in the return match. Facing a strong Paris Saint-Germain side with quality attacking players, Liverpool struggled and were eventually knocked out. While this elimination made waves in Madrid, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s performance raised even greater concerns. Throughout the match, the full-back, closely followed by Pérez, was dribbled past and outplayed on multiple occasions.
The humiliating and bitter viral moment that puts Madrid on alert
Around the 71st minute, Arnold was humiliated by Vitinha, the Portuguese midfielder who has been shining at PSG for several months. In a poorly timed challenge, Trent found himself easily beaten and, due to the “brutality” of the move, landed awkwardly on his knee. With a tense expression, grimacing in pain, he was forced to leave the pitch in the 73rd minute. Pending medical examinations to determine the severity of his knee injury, Madrid is now on high alert, as reported by Defensa Central.
Today, concerns are growing within Florentino Pérez’s club, where doubts are emerging over whether they should go through with the transfer, which was reportedly almost finalised. Considering Real Madrid’s current situation with Lucas Vázquez—an offensively capable but defensively vulnerable player—bringing in Alexander-Arnold with his star status yet failing to address defensive weaknesses on the right flank could prove to be a major mistake. Time will tell what happens next.
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