Trent Alexander-Arnold made his Real Madrid debut, sporting his first name on his jersey.
Alexander-Arnold’s first match for Real Madrid was a mixed bag, marking a significant turning point in his career after leaving Liverpool.
The 26-year-old, wearing the number 12 shirt with “Trent” on the back, started for Xabi Alonso’s side in their Club World Cup opener against Al-Hilal, a match that concluded in a 1-1 draw.
His departure from Liverpool after 354 appearances and a collection of major trophies marked a significant chapter closing in his career.
The £8.4m signing, whose Liverpool contract expired on June 30th, exhibited both strengths and weaknesses before being substituted in the 65th minute.
“An amazing day to debut for Real Madrid, a dream for any player,” he shared with Dazn post-match. “The support has been incredible since signing. Sensational. The fanbase is truly global; you feel it daily.”
BBC Sport analyzes his performance in Miami.
Seeking a fresh start after his Anfield exit, Alexander-Arnold showcased his commitment to his new club by speaking Spanish during his unveiling and using his first name on his jersey.
He and former Bournemouth center-back, Dean Huijsen, were the two debutants in Alonso’s first game.
Alexander-Arnold’s performance began somewhat shakily, but improved as the game progressed.
Al-Hilal exploited his positioning on three occasions, creating scoring chances. One instance involved a turnover at midfield.
While he executed simple passes effectively, his ambitious passes, including a cross-field attempt that sailed over Vinicius Jr.’s head, were less successful. Hassan Al Tambakti also outjumped him on a corner kick.
However, his performance improved, notably contributing to Real Madrid’s goal. Intercepting a pass from Salem Al Dawsari, he set up Gonzalo Garcia, culminating in a swift counter-attack and the go-ahead goal.
He also blocked a shot from Al Dawsari.
His first-half passing accuracy of 84% trailed only Vinicius among Real players; he didn’t misplace a pass in the second half.
Operating in a more advanced midfield role at times, he displayed his playmaking skills.
One highlight involved a skillful run past Kalidou Koulibaly before being tackled, quickly regaining possession and delivering a cross.
At the time of his substitution, he led his team-mates in crosses (five), entries into the final third (12), and final-third passes (16).
Only one Real player had more touches than his 57. However, he also recorded the most turnovers (12).
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s touches on his Real Madrid debut against Al-Hilal
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s touches in his last start for Liverpool against Chelsea
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Alexander-Arnold’s career has often been characterized by his offensive prowess. He thrived as a full-back who frequently advanced into midfield.
Former England manager Gareth Southgate even experimented with him in a central midfield role.
His Anfield legacy includes 23 goals and 86 assists, redefining the full-back position.
His performance with his new team was highly anticipated.
“Alexander-Arnold’s on-ball skills are undeniable,” stated former Newcastle and Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given on Dazn. “He’s phenomenal. Real Madrid’s possession-based style will see him higher up the pitch. His defensive capabilities will be tested in this tournament against stronger opponents. Can he rise to the challenge? His Ballon d’Or aspirations are a bold statement.”
Alonso utilized a traditional back four, unlike the wing-back system that brought him success at Bayer Leverkusen.
Alexander-Arnold played right-back but also contributed in midfield.
However, as illustrated by the graphics, his central involvement was less pronounced compared to his final Liverpool start, a 3-1 loss to Chelsea on May 4th.
He operated in deeper positions on the right side of the penalty area, unlike his Chelsea appearance. He attempted more cross-field passes than at Chelsea.
Notably, he did not take any set pieces for Real Madrid.
Newcastle striker Callum Wilson, an England teammate, commented: “Few strike a ball as cleanly as he does. Free kicks, corners – he’ll enhance their set-piece game. His defensive responsibilities will be lessened, allowing him to showcase his offensive strengths.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s passes on his Real Madrid debut against Al-Hilal
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s passes in his last start for Liverpool against Chelsea
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Alexander-Arnold’s fluent Spanish at his unveiling surprised many. Some Liverpool fans speculated this indicated prior knowledge of his move to Madrid.
Post-debut, he requested to answer in English on Dazn, explaining that speaking Spanish after a game was challenging. Regarding his Spanish proficiency, he stated: “A couple of months. It was important to show my commitment to embracing the culture and adapting fully.”
Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, acting as a pundit, expressed skepticism about the speed of his language acquisition, suggesting it might have taken a year.
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Alexander-Arnold impresses with his Spanish at Real Madrid unveiling
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