New season, new boss – will Alexander-Arnold be key figure at Real Madrid?Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Trent Alexander-Arnold featured in 35 of Real Madrid’s 62 matches in all competitions last seasonByElizabeth ConwaySpanish football reporterPublished27 minutes agoMore than 14 months after leaving Liverpool for Real Madrid, Trent Alexander-Arnold will soon begin his second season with the Spanish club under a third manager in Jose Mourinho.The 27-year-old right-back arrived with huge expectations. When signing him, Real Madrid regarded him as one of the most versatile defenders in the world and one who could influence games through his passing range, crossing ability and experience in managing high-pressure moments.However, his first season was disrupted by injuries, managerial changes and the difficulty of adapting to a new league and environment as he failed to make England’s World Cup squad.Now, after encouraging signs during pre-season, Alexander-Arnold will hope to finally establish himself as a key figure in the Spanish capital in the forthcoming campaign.Injuries and inconsistencyImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Alexander-Arnold made 21 La Liga appearances for Real Madrid in 2025-26Real Madrid paid Liverpool a revealed 10m euros (£8.4m) for Alexander-Arnold, releasing him from his contract on 1 June 2025, a month early.But an eagerly awaited debut campaign never reached the heights many expected.Two separate injuries affected him. A hamstring issue last September sidelined him for seven weeks, while a thigh problem in December kept him out for a further two months.
That denied Alexander-Arnold the sustained run of games needed to build momentum and a connection with supporters.
Overall, he featured in 35 of Real Madrid’s 62 matches across all competitions last season, but was not first choice, starting 27 times as he shared the right-back role with club legend Dani Carvajal.
However, the defensive doubts that plagued him throughout his Liverpool career remained part of the conversation in Madrid – even as his quality in possession continued to stand out.
He showed glimpses of his undoubted ability, but there was a feeling among some supporters that they had not yet seen enough of Alexander-Arnold to judge his impact.
By the end of a season which had Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa in charge of Real as they failed to win a major trophy, he had begun to show signs of his best form – finishing the campaign strongly before thanking supporters for their backing in a message on social media.
“Madridistas you have welcomed me with open arms.” he wrote. “From the first day I arrived you have had my back. It took me a few months to find rhythm and settle in the new environment but I feel completely at home now.
“I will take a good break and put the work in over the summer. I promise we will bring trophies back to this amazing club next season.”
