Trent Alexander-Arnold already showing signs of old class in Real Madrid shirt even if he's put a new name on the back

Scottish Sun

5 hours ago

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Here's why the ex-Liverpool star can be quietly pleased with his debut in the Miami heat
TAA DAA Trent Alexander-Arnold already showing signs of old class in Real Madrid shirt even if he's put a new name on the back
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD was caught up in a Club World Cup clash far more dramatic than anyone could have predicted as he made his Real Madrid debut.
The ex-Liverpool right-back played the first 64 minutes of a 1-1 draw against Saudi big spenders Al-Hilal.
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Trent Alexander Arnold launched his Real Madrid career on the right of defence as an inverted wing-back
Credit: Alamy
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He drifted into midfield when Real had the ball
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And the England ace had an eventful evening at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
He saw Gonzalo Garcia slot a brilliant team goal to launch Xabi Alonso's reign as Real boss in majestic style.
But former Wolves anchorman Ruben Neves soon levelled with a 41st-minute penalty after Raul Asencio pulled Marcos Leonardo's short.
Al-Hilal were furious with a spot-kick award against Mohammed Al Qahtani when his arm went across Fran Garcia's face on the corner of the box in the 90th minute.
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But ex-Sevilla keeper Yassine Bounou guessed correctly from Federico Valverde's penalty - plunging to his right to keep it out and ensure a deserved point in the Group H opener.
Meanwhile, TAA was not just in a new top, he had a new moniker on the back - simply "Trent".
So was his first Real game just as straightforward?
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Here's our man STEVE BRENNER's verdict on the 26-year-old's performance.
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Alexander-Arnold outshone the very quiet Jude Bellingham
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He was heavily involved up and down the right side
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TAA is looking forward to his future - with something new on his back
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An attacking threat?
With the searing afternoon temperatures in Miami edging closer to a sweltering 33 degrees, the tempo of the game was a long way off the standard intensity.
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Trent Alexander-Arnold reveals he's been 'waiting a long time' to join Real Madrid
For most of the first half, Alexander-Arnold, along with his new pals, tried to conserve energy when possible.
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But it was his initial pass deep in his own half that started the move which ended with Gonzalo Garcia's 34th-minute opener.
The England international pumped his fists into the air when the ball hit the back of the net.
Early in the second half, he found himself on the edge of the box with the ball at his feet, but the killer pass just eluded him.
He also appeared to operate slightly more centrally after the break as Real searched for a winner.
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Defensively sound?
The former Liverpool man was operating in an inverted wing-back role, which saw him largely tuck inside closer to the centre-back pairing of fellow new boy Dean Huijsen — making his Real debut following his move from Bournemouth — and Asencio.
When the Spanish giants were in possession, TAA drifted into midfield and was on hand to try and penetrate a robust Al-Hilal backline.
He made a couple of key interceptions as the first half wore on — including one which helped set up the opener — and looked defensively solid.
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Alexander Arnold was straight into the thick of the action
Credit: Alamy
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This graph shows how he never switched flanks
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The Three Lions ace looked solid defensively
Has he settled in already?
Certainly looked that way. Having fellow England international Jude Bellingham — who was very quiet here — must help, as will his already noticeable Spanish skills, which will only improve as he fully integrates himself into the Madrid way of life.
With Alonso also starting afresh in the Spanish capital, everyone, including Trent, is beginning with a clean slate.
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Any surprises/anything new?
Just having 'TRENT' on the back of his shirt was a new look for the 26-year-old.
At Liverpool, and for England, the Scouser was the main man for free-kicks. But when one was given on 57 minutes, it was Turkish ace Arda Güler who stepped up—and subsequently failed to deliver.
His race was run after 64 minutes, with Alonso keen to bring on fresh legs, but the sparks from his debut were promising enough.
What did he say about it?
"It's an incredible day for me to make my Real Madrid debut. It's something almost every player dreams of so to be able to achieve it is huge for me.
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"Of course, there's some disappointment in there because we haven't won the game. It's the mentality you need to have as a Real Madrid player is to want and expect to win every game that you play in.
"It's disappointing not to win. But there were a lot of positives, especially in the second half."
On the support...
"Incredible. I felt the support from the moment I signed for the club. It's absolutely sensational. The fanbase that is truly global all over the world. You feel it every single day, the fans at the training ground and the hotel and on social media.
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"It's a huge thank you for that. We dominated the stands today, which was incredible. The support was truly amazing."
On the game...
"I think in the second half we kept the ball really well - that is what we lacked in the first half.
"In this heat, it is important to keep hold of the ball as best as you can. We were in and around their box a lot.
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"We put in crosses, got shots off but it just wasn't meant to be. We also had the penalty late on. These things do happen in football.
"Nobody is to blame and we take the positives, and we have things we can work on. I am sure we will do that going into the next game."
And on how long he's been learning Spanish...
"Not too long. A couple of months. It was something important that I had to do. I want to adapt and give myself the best start possible going to a new country, new city and new team.
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"It is important to show the intent that I want to embrace the culture, immerse myself in it and try to adapt as best as possible."
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Alexander-Arnold looked at home in a clash that was also Real legend Xabi Alonso's first game back at the club as manager
Credit: Getty
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In contrast Bellingham was largely anonymous for the Spanish giants
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