Trent Alexander-Arnold was dropped from the Real Madrid side for the Madrid derby against Atletico after reportedly arriving late to training
Trent Alexander-Arnold has had a mixed time at Real Madrid since his move from Liverpool in the summer(Image: NurPhoto, NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Former Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold’s challenging week continued on Sunday, with the defender reportedly omitted from the Real Madrid squad for disciplinary reasons. The full-back was surprisingly left out of the line-up for the Madrid derby against Atletico on Sunday evening.
The 27-year-old has started all of Real’s last four Champions League fixtures and before last week’s victory over Elche, had appeared in five consecutive La Liga matches. However, it was Dani Carvajal who Alvaro Arbeloa selected at right-back on Sunday, with Alexander-Arnold reportedly dropped after turning up late for a training session.
According to Spanish outlet Marca, Alexander-Arnold “arrived late to one of the final training sessions of the week”, with Arbeloa delivering a “clear message with a decision focused on discipline and dressing room order.”
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Marca adds that Arbeloa “respected the team’s code of conduct and made the necessary decision to maintain order within the group.”
The news comes following a week in which Thomas Tuchel chose to exclude the defender from his expanded 35-man England squad.
“I know it’s a tough decision for Trent as it is for Ollie Watkins and Luke Shaw. These tough decisions come from the job,” Tuchel said on the decision.
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“It’s a sporting decision. We stick with Tino Livramento, Djed Spence and Jarell Quansah who can all play at right full-back.
“It’s a tough one, it’s a big name, a huge talent and a big career, but I know what Trent can give us and have decided to stick with the players we have.”
Since leaving Anfield last summer, Alexander-Arnold has had a varied first season at Real, marred by two injury spells. He has featured in 25 matches for Los Blancos and received commendation for his performance in the Champions League double-header against Manchester City.
Alexander-Arnold’s recent return to the Real squad has quietened rumours about a potential summer departure, with Spanish reports previously suggesting that Arbeloa was not entirely impressed by the Liverpool academy product.
The defender could face the Reds again this season, having played against his childhood club in November’s Champions League match at Anfield.
If the Reds triumph over Paris Saint-Germain and Real oust Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals, the two European powerhouses would clash again in the tournament’s semi-finals.
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