Karma? Fading of Trent

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s journey at Real Madrid has already hit its first real test: winning back his spot in the starting eleven. The warning signs have been clear — substituted for Dani Carvajal against Osasuna in the 68th minute, and left waiting until the 87th minute to enter the pitch versus Oviedo.

Those decisions underline Xabi Alonso’s shifting preference at right-back, one that increasingly favors the Spanish veteran. For Trent, the moment has come to respond.

The issue is no longer confined to Madrid. Back in England, the ripple effects are evident: national team coach Thomas Tuchel has omitted him from the squad to face Andorra and Serbia in the Euro qualifiers.

From the very beginning, the battle with Carvajal has leaned away from him. At 26, Trent is watching his rival — freshly returned from a ten-month layoff with a torn cruciate ligament — already reassert himself as first choice, barely seven weeks after his comeback.

His cameo against Oviedo — just three minutes plus stoppage time — owed much to the impression Carvajal made against Osasuna. In that match, wearing number 12, Alexander-Arnold led in crosses (7) and attempted long passes (4), but his duels told another story: two battles fought, none won.

Tuchel's list: Trent and Foden out, Rashford in

Carvajal, by contrast, dominated against Oviedo, winning five of his six challenges. Beyond statistics, it was Dani’s intensity that stood out — lunging into tackles, including a fierce challenge on Moi Gomez that briefly raised fears about his knee, yet also signaled his relentless commitment.

Of course, Trent’s strengths are undeniable. At Liverpool last season, he ranked fifth in the Premier League for crosses into the box (80 in 33 matches). His comfort on the ball and ability to dictate tempo have been trademarks since his academy days, where he began as a midfielder before Jurgen Klopp reinvented him as a right-back in 2016–17 at just 18 years old.

Under Klopp, his game expanded: free-kicks, corners, diagonal switches, and even stints in central midfield as a pivot or inside role. Arne Slot, his most recent manager, continued to rely on him in that hybrid function, and so did England. The European Championship in Germany last summer provided the clearest example — three of his four appearances came in the heart of midfield, not at full-back.

LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 3

Friday

Elche - Levante 2-0 (0-0)

/Rafa Mir 46, Mendoza 51/

Valencia - Getafe 3-0 (1-0)

/Diakhaby 30, Danjuma 54, Duro 90+7/

Saturday

18.00: (4.40) Alaves (3.50) Atl.Madrid (1.85)

20.00: (3.40) Oviedo (3.10) Sociedad (2.30)

20.30: (2.45) Girona (3.25) Sevilla (2.95)

22.30: (1.22) Real Madrid (6.50) Mallorca (13.0)

Sunday

18.00: (2.80) Celta (3.40) Villareal (2.50)

20.00: (2.85) Betis (3.10) Ath.Bilbao (2.65)

20.30: (2.40) Espanyol (3.20) Osasuna (3.10)

22.30: (7.00) Rayo Vallecano (4.50) Barcelona (1.45)

***odds are subject to change***