How Alexander-Arnold must change to suit Real Madrid

One way or another, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future will be resolved this summer. Having been at Liverpool since the age of eight, the right back could sign a new contract to stay at Anfield. On the basis of recent reporting, though, it seems more likely that Alexander-Arnold will leave to join Real Madrid.

The Spanish giants have tracked Alexander-Arnold for a number of seasons. Real Madrid are so keen to capture the 26-year-old that they bid for him in the January transfer window only for Liverpool to keep Alexander-Arnold until the end of his contract. He is the ‘Galactico’ full back Los Blancos want.

It’s easy to see why a move to the Santiago Bernabeu would appeal. Real Madrid have won more Champions League titles than any other club. Alexander-Arnold would win trophies in the Spanish capital and would call some of the best players in the world teammates. Jude Bellingham is one of his closest friends.

At Real Madrid, though, Alexander-Arnold will have no choice but to adapt his game. At Liverpool, he has been able to shirk his defensive responsibilities because of the structure of the team around him. Real Madrid have a completely different structure and Alexander-Arnold will be expected to fit into that.

Of course, much has been made of Alexander-Arnold’s defensive vulnerabilities over the years. He was consistently overlooked by Gareth Southgate for England because of it with the likes of Kyle Walker, Reece James and Kieran Trippier favoured in his place. England needed a more defensive-minded right back.

Real Madrid need that too, in a sense. Alexander-Arnold will be afforded the freedom to get forward and join the attack when possible, but Los Blancos need him to provide a defensive safety net too. This is something Dani Carvajal has done for several seasons. Alexander-Arnold must follow his example.

Carvajal might be entering the twilight of his career, but he has been Real Madrid’s Walker. His mobility has been key to keeping things together at the back. Without him, Real Madrid are a poorer team. They are easier to score and play against. This has been highlighted in his recent absence due to injury.

There are tactical methods that could help hide some of Alexander-Arnold’s deficiencies. Instead of asking the right back to get back and make recovery runs in defensive transition, Real Madrid could look to the left back for this quality. Fran Garcia has impressed this season and could be that figure.

It’s also possible that Real Madrid could push Alexander-Arnold into the middle of the pitch. They have lacked a rhythm builder in midfield since Toni Kroos retired at the end of last season and Alexander-Arnold certainly has the skill set to be useful in possession in this area. This could be where Los Blancos envisage their new signing fitting in.

For all that Alexander-Arnold’s defensive instincts have been picked apart by fans and pundits, he is still the most naturally talented full back in the world. That’s why Real Madrid are so desperate to sign him. Alexander-Arnold will give them another creative edge on the right side of the pitch. He could get even more out of the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior.

Nothing is signed yet. Alexander-Arnold could still agree a new contract with Liverpool to stay on Merseyside beyond the end of the season. If recent reporting is to be believed, though, the 26-year-old is preparing for a new life and a new challenge in Spain. He must fully embrace that challenge.