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Trent Alexander-Arnold likely didn't anticipate such a tumultuous week when he decided to leave Liverpool for Real Madrid.
Alexander-Arnold portrayed his move to Spain as one driven by ambition. At 26, he felt it was the perfect time to broaden his experiences, push his boundaries, and add more trophies to his collection. It's still early days, but the past week's events highlight how challenging such a transition can be.
He's been sidelined by Madrid in favor of seasoned player Dani Carvajal, drawn against Liverpool in the Champions League, and now omitted from the England squad by Thomas Tuchel. Even during his tenure at Liverpool, Alexander-Arnold was a polarizing figure in soccer, with his distinctive skills setting him apart as a right-back.
He has never secured a consistent spot in the national team, earning just 34 caps over seven years. However, his gamble to trade his childhood club for Real has only amplified external perceptions of him.
It remains uncertain what kind of reception he will receive upon his return to Anfield, but it's likely to be mixed at best.
His immediate priority will be to persuade Xabi Alonso that he is capable of securing the starting right-back position at Real. With Carvajal having recovered from an ACL injury and reclaimed his place in the side for Real's second La Liga match of the season, his legendary status within the club won't make it easy for Alexander-Arnold to displace him.
The 33-year-old has racked up 430 appearances for Real and has assisted the team in securing a wealth of silverware. He represents a robust, defensively-minded full-back, in contrast to Alexander-Arnold's attacking and creative style of play.
Alonso has already cautioned Alexander-Arnold that patience will be required, as squad rotation remains paramount. "It depends on what we need in terms of the game, the workload, and the opposition," he remarked following Carvajal's return in the 3-0 victory against Real Oviedo.
"I haven't made a decision for the next month. I'm going to see how we recover and to make sure that people feel important and ready to start, come off the bench or be able to be in the next game."
As with any elite footballer, Alexander-Arnold is accustomed to battling for his position, though he rarely faced genuine competition at Liverpool, with Conor Bradley serving as his clear deputy during his latter seasons. He remained the academy graduate and first-choice option under both Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot, securing his spot for the most crucial fixtures.
Carvajal presents an entirely different challenge.
"I have many positions double-covered," Alonso commented earlier in the summer. "This is one of those, with two exceptional players. Carva, who's been training hard and is much closer to his original level by now, and Trent, from Liverpool. That's amazing for improving the level of the squad. We're going to be playing tons of games, and we need to have that top level."
Tuchel isn't permanently sidelining Alexander-Arnold.
His intention is to allow him time to acclimatize in Spain, but the preference for Djed Spence and Tino Livramento over him and Kyle Walker does indicate a change in hierarchy.
Now, Alexander-Arnold has no option but to buckle down, put in the graft, and rebuild his standing in both club and international soccer.
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