Trent Alexander-Arnold endured a tough LaLiga debut for Real Madrid – and some Liverpool fans revelled in his struggles.
The Englishman wrapped up one of the transfer sagas of the year when he joined Real Madrid in June to end a 20-year stint with his boyhood club.
There were mixed emotions and opinions on his exit: many were grateful for his years of service and respected his right to move on, while others were bitter at how it was handled.
And it appears that some resentment persists among sections of the fanbase as they celebrated his tough LaLiga debut against Osasuna on Monday night.
Alexander-Arnold was taken off on 68 minutes after failing to win a tackle or a duel, losing the ball 15 times, and getting nutmegged during Madrid’s 1-0 win over Osasuna. However, 49 of his 52 passes were accurate.
Football is not played on a spreadsheet – sometimes the eye test can reveal different results to the data – but some Reds supporters were all too happy to hear of his struggles.
Trent Alexander-Arnold had a tough LaLiga debut for Real Madrid on Monday night
The former Liverpool star failed to land many of his crosses or long balls and won no tackles
‘Isn’t it class not having to pretend Trent is the best right back in the world?’ said one fan on X. ‘He will be back at Aston Villa in about 18 months.’
‘You have no idea how refreshing and freeing it is not having to watch him anymore,’ another said.
‘Trent impressing for Osasuna tonight,’ one quipped.
‘Every Trent stinker I will be there front row,’ another vowed.
However, lots of fans retain fondness for the 26-year-old, or were at least measured in their response to his debut.
‘Some of those were great crosses, just no one in the right spot to get on the end of them,’ one wrote.
‘It takes time to settle into a new team he was a class player for us he will be a top player for Madrid. Liverpool new boys haven’t settled in yet either,’ another said.
‘Respect your best academy player ever,’ one commented.
Some fans went in hard on Alexander-Arnold while others were more sympathetic
Xabi Alonso (above) says there will be ‘great competition’ between Alexander-Arnold and Dani Carvajal
‘As a Liverpool fan l would laugh at anyone underestimating this guy,’ another said.
‘You guys are like bitter exes that wouldn’t move on,’ came one’s verdict.
Many pointed out that although only one of Alexander-Arnold’s seven crosses found the target, the problem was as much that Kylian Mbappe isn’t the most physical of strikers to meet them.
He is also adapting to a new system under Xabi Alonso and learning his team-mates’ patterns of play and runs, which may explain why none of his trademark long balls found the mark.
Ian Hawkey, writing for The Times from Madrid, felt that Alexander-Arnold had a ‘satisfactory, largely tidy home debut’.
It is not a certain that he will start every game, given he is in competition with Dani Carvajal, 33, who has won 26 trophies with the club.
Before the LaLiga season opener, Xabi Alonso said of the rivalry: ‘I’m clear that it’s a great competition. And I love that we have two players in each position who can play. Carvajal is getting closer to his level.
‘That’s very good for the squad. We have a lot of games.’
