Spanish media turn on Trent Alexander-Arnold as former Liverpool star brutally slammed
Spanish media is known for being ruthless and Trent Alexander-Arnold is not starting to get a taste of life away from home..
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s dream move to the Santiago Bernabéu has turned into a nightmare this week as the Spanish press launched a scathing attack on the England international following Real Madrid’s frustrated 1-1 draw against Girona.
The 27-year-old, who ended his long association with Liverpool in a high-profile transfer this summer, has struggled to adapt to life in La Liga.
While his arrival was heralded as a “Galáctico” signing for the new era under manager Xabi Alonso, patience appears to be wearing thin among the notoriously demanding Madrid media.
Marca’s brutal assessment of Trent Alexander-Arnold
The most blistering criticism came from Spain’s leading sports daily, Marca. Following a shaky performance against Girona on Sunday, where a loose pass from the right-back nearly gifted the opposition a goal, journalist Alfredo Relano did not hold back.
In a damning editorial, Marca wrote: “Now that Trent is here, he seems like a clueless and insubstantial player, with the expression of a rabbit in the headlights. His quality at set pieces is masked by his right foot, but in open play he is non-existent.”
The outlet went on to suggest that Alexander-Arnold looks “lost” without the specific tactical system that protected him at Anfield, describing his defensive positioning as “alarmingly porous” for a player of his stature.
The “rabbit in the headlights” jibe has already gone viral across Spanish social media, turning the defender into a lightning rod for criticism as Los Blancos sit second in the table behind Barcelona.
Trent Alexander-Arnold has struggled since his controversial move from Liverpool
This backlash is the latest blow in what has been a turbulent six months for the defender.
Alexander-Arnold’s exit from Liverpool was steeped in controversy; he opted against renewing his contract with his boyhood club, eventually moving for a nominal fee of £10m so Madrid could register him for the Club World Cup.
Since the switch, he has failed to nail down a consistent starting spot. Hampered by a hamstring injury early in the campaign and unable to displace the veteran Dani Carvajal until the Spaniard’s recent injury, Alexander-Arnold has featured in just seven of Madrid’s 14 league games.
The early struggles at Madrid has resulted in the player reportedly regretting making the switch to Spain.
Manager Xabi Alonso has publically backed his signing, insisting the Englishman needs time to adapt to a new league and culture.
However, with the Spanish press now actively questioning his contribution in open play, the pressure is mounting on Alexander-Arnold to rediscover the form that made him a Premier League icon before the Bernabéu crowd turns on him completely.
He needs time that is for sure. We cannot under estimate how hard it is to move to a new team and adapt.