New season, new boss – will Alexander-Arnold be key figure at Real Madrid?
Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to begin his second season at Real Madrid under new manager Jose Mourinho, more than 14 months after leaving Liverpool for the Spanish club. The 27-year-old right-back's debut campaign fell short of the high expectations that accompanied his move, as injuries, managerial upheaval and the challenge of adjusting to a new league left him unable to establish himself as a first-choice player, and he also missed out on England's World Cup squad.
Real Madrid paid Liverpool a reported 10m euros (£8.4m) to release Alexander-Arnold a month early in June 2025, but hamstring and thigh injuries sidelined him for a combined nine weeks last season, limiting him to 35 of the club's 62 matches and 27 starts as he shared right-back duties with Dani Carvajal. He finished the campaign strongly despite Real failing to win a major trophy under Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa, and has now impressed new boss Mourinho during a full pre-season, with the Portuguese coach valuing his versatility and ability to push into central midfield areas.
- Alexander-Arnold begins his second Real Madrid season under Jose Mourinho.
- Injuries and adaptation issues disrupted his debut campaign last year.
- He has impressed Mourinho in pre-season, boosting hopes for 2025-26.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
He finished last season strongly despite early struggles and has impressed Mourinho during a full pre-season, bringing proven international-level experience and versatility that the Portuguese coach specifically values. His talent and track record at Liverpool remain undisputed, and a healthy season without the injuries that plagued him previously could allow him to fulfil his transfer potential. With managerial continuity now established, he has the stability that was absent during his difficult first campaign.
The case against
He struggled throughout his first season to adapt to a new league and establish himself despite his reputation, spent nine weeks sidelined with injuries suggesting vulnerability, and failed to impress England's World Cup selectors. His continued competition with Carvajal, one of world football's finest defenders, may persistently limit his availability, and Real Madrid's failure to win trophies last season raises questions about deeper systemic issues. The fundamental problems that hampered his debut campaign appear largely unresolved.