When it comes to full-backs in modern football, Trent Alexander-Arnold is unarguably one of the most talked-about
He came through Liverpool’s academy and made it to the top of European football. Trent went ahead to win the Premier League, Champions League, and other trophies under the tutelage of Jurgen Klopp. He has shown a massive influence on Liverpool’s successes in the past nine years.
His style is unique, his numbers are outstanding, and his influence are undeniable. Following a good number of years spent at Liverpool, Trent decided not to renew his contract and has now completed a move to Real Madrid on a free transfer. His arrival in Madrid is expected to raise more interest in Real Madrid match tickets for the forthcoming season.
Trent Alexander-Arnold said playing for Real Madrid was a “dream come true”, saying he’s “ready to win a lot of trophies” after signing a six-year contract at the club.
“Thank you to Florentino Perez and Real Madrid for this opportunity,” he said. “Signing for a club like Real Madrid doesn’t happen every day. It’s a dream come true. I’m happy and proud to be here. I’m excited to show my game to the Madrid fans.
“I’m aware of what it means to play for Real Madrid, it’s a big responsibility, but I’m ready. I want to win a lot of trophies and be a champion, and keep growing. Thank you, and Hala Madrid.”
Despite all his brilliance going forward, one question still lingers around him: Can he defend at the highest level? And more importantly, would he improve Real Madrid’s defence?
Alexander-Arnold had been a long-term target for Madrid, and he joins them barely six months after they tried to sign him in January. It is safe to say Los Blancos have successfully replaced injured captain Dani Carvajal, absent since last October.
Real Madrid is a bigger club than Liverpool, and the demands are also high. The Spanish giants have a rich history of defenders. From the days of Fernando Hierro to the modern leadership of Sergio Ramos and now the presence of Antonio Rudiger, Éder Militão, and David Alaba, Madrid has always had quality defenders. Given Trent’s ability in the defensive situations, it is safe to say the club would have to be sure he wouldn’t be a defensive liability.
The 26-year-old walks into a dressing room filled with winners, young players, and energetic ones. Trent’s poor defensive abilities will have to be addressed by new manager Xabi Alonso, creating a system to accommodate his qualities, which will be useful in Real Madrid’s star-studded attack.
In terms of what he offers, Trent is a right-back by position, but he doesn’t play like a traditional one. He’s more of a deep-lying playmaker operating from the right side of defence. He dictates play, delivers pinpoint crosses, switches play with accuracy, and creates more chances than most midfielders. In the past Premier League season, apart from Mohamed Salah, no other Liverpool player got more assists than him.
One of his greatest assets is his passing range, because it is elite. One can even say that his arrival on football’s biggest stage has done a refinement on the role of a full-back in the modern game. At Liverpool, especially during their peak years, he and Andrew Robertson provided width, creativity, and energy.
However, Real Madrid is a different club entirely. Erstwhile manager Carlo Ancelotti was given the boot because he could not turn the current group of players into winners, and he also failed to create a system that would help all of them function well. Alonso looks like a more tactical manager, and given what he did at Bayer Leverkusen, Trent and the rest of the squad might be given different assignments.
Defensively, Trent has had his struggles. He has often been criticized for switching off at the back post, not tracking runners, and being beaten too easily in one-on-one situations. He’s also not the most physically dominant defender, either, and when isolated, especially on the counterattack, he can look vulnerable. He has been exposed a couple of times in the Premier League, as teams decide to target his side with long balls, overload, and quick transitions.
Also at Liverpool, they played more fast-paced football, and that could have been a contributing factor to his lapses at the back under Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot. On the other hand, Real Madrid play a more patient game. Because of the quality in attack, Los Blancos rarely rely on their fullbacks —Dani Carvajal on the right and Ferland Mendy or Fran García on the left—for a lot of presence in attack, so they have to be responsible defensively. Carvajal, for all his attacking ability, is a fierce competitor and rarely leaves his defensive duties unchecked.
Carvajal, before his long-term injury, was Real Madrid’s first choice at right-back. Without mincing words, he is also a better defender than Trent. However, the Spaniard is already 33 years of age and might not be able to deliver the goods at a decent rate again upon recovery. Trent, while more dynamic going forward, may leave too many gaps at the back if he is not protected.
While at Leverkusen, Alonso had two flying full-backs in Alejandro Grimaldo and Jeremie Frimpong. Both were always involved in the build-up and creativity for his team. Due to his three-at-the-back system, he was able to put a cover in place when the two bump forward. The same system might be required to get the best out of Trent at Madrid.
Defensive players like Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga can be tasked with covering those spaces at the back, allowing Trent to operate more like an inverted full-back or even a hybrid midfielder. Trent’s quality is too good for the bench because he would add creativity, ball progression, and pinpoint delivery from deeper positions. His presence would also give Madrid an extra midfielder without changing the shape drastically.
In conclusion, would Trent Alexander-Arnold improve Real Madrid’s defence? It depends on how you define improvement. If you are looking at it from the angle that he will add some solidity and steel to the backline, the answer is no. But if you’re talking about improving the overall balance, creativity, and tactical flexibility of the team, then yes, Trent would be a major asset. His defensive flaws do not outweigh the positive qualities he possesses. With the right setup and support, his defensive flaws could be managed, and his strengths could shine even brighter.