Trent Alexander-Arnold 'dream' shattered after Xabi Alonso fired by Real Madrid

Real Madrid's players didn't seem too enamored with Xabi Alonso, although former Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold held him in a different light before his firing

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Xabi Alonso worked together at Real Madrid(Image: Getty Images)

Trent Alexander-Arnold might be a little more dismayed by Xabi Alonso’s firing than some of his Real Madrid teammates.

Alonso was dismissed by the Bernabeu club on Monday following defeat in the Spanish Super Cup final to Barcelona - although, in truth, his departure had been on the cards for some time before that.

The former Liverpool star perhaps wasn’t helped by the reaction of some of his players toward him. Vinicius Jr planted the seeds of doubt earlier in the season after a very public fallout, before Kylian Mbappe’s act of defiance on Sunday seemed to effectively seal Alonso’s fate.

But while some big names didn’t seem too enamored with him, Alexander-Arnold held a very different view.

The right-back of course took the same path as Alonso did as a player, trading Liverpool for Real during the summer, and the hero of Istanbul 2005 played a big role in Alexander-Arnold’s early days with Los Blancos.

Reflecting on his adaptation to life in Madrid, Alexander-Arnold said earlier in the season: "I either ask someone, or I'll ask one of the staff if I don't understand.

“At first I was too shy to say I don't understand, and I'd mess up the drill. But now I'm braver and I'll ask for English when needed."

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Xabi Alonso both arrived at Real Madrid last summer(Image: Getty Images)

He added: "I'm pretty fortunate enough to only work with top managers in my opinion. We both came to the club at the same time, and it's a privilege to work with him and his staff. Dream come true for me."

That dream barely lasted eight months though, with Alexander-Arnold’s teammates seemingly not as impressed with Alonso’s approach following Carlo Ancelotti’s departure.

The 27-year-old didn’t get much of a chance to play under one of his Liverpool heroes either, with injuries meaning he only made 16 appearances under Alonso’s leadership, including five during the summer’s Club World Cup.

Alonso though showed plenty of faith in Alexander-Arnold, despite what was a tough start for the right-back, although he will now have to watch on from afar to see whether his prediction for him will come true.

"I think we will see a better Trent," Alonso said in a press conference. "Without doubt it’s positive after the injury he could do 90 minutes against Elche, 90 against Olympiacos.

"We need him. It’s his first year and it’s normal to have this adaption (period).

"He’s starting to feel (like) himself," Alonso continued. "He is demanding too, he plays at a top, top level. We have to be there for him, in this change that is so big for him, but it’s good news."