FootyChatter.com

Trent Alexander-Arnold is not guaranteed to be starting for Real Madrid during his first season at the club. That is according to Spanish football expert Terry Gibson, who has questioned the right-back's first-team chances in Spain. Alexander-Arnold departed Liverpool for Madrid after his contract at his boyhood club expired at the end of the season. He was able to join Real early after the Spanish giants paid the Reds a fee so he could arrive in time for the Club World Cup. And he has been regularly featuring for Xabi Alonso's side, starting every game so far for his new club in the United States. Although Alexander-Arnold, who has been donning his new No. 12 shirt, has so far been an ever-present at right-back, that could well change. Real Madrid legend Dani Carvajal is going to provide him with some very stiff competition for a starting spot in defence. Carvajal, who has won five Champions League titles with the club, is one of Los Blancos' most experienced names, having made over 400 appearances over the last 12 years. He is only just returning to full fitness having suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture in October last year, but he will be sure to want his starting spot back next season. And Spanish football expert Gibson believes that it would be a 'controversial' decision to start Alexander-Arnold over Carvajal. He told Jamie O'Hara and Jason Cundy on talk SPORT's The Sports Bar: "Yes, 100 per cent [Trent's starting position isn't guaranteed]. "I would say that Dani Carvajal would still be favourite. He's a legend, with all the Champions Leagues they've won, he's been at the heart. "It would be controversial for Xabi Alonso to discard him. " Gibson added: "I do think it would be a waste as well [to not play Carvajal], depending on how he gets back from his knee injury, we may not see the best of him until Christmas. "But it's competition for a place and Carvajal is a better defender and also gives something going forward. "I don't think there's any doubt that that is Alexander-Arnold's strength. He's better at crossing, diagonal passes and set pieces. .. so there are differences between the two. "I just think Carvajal edges it in terms of he's good at everything. Alexander-Arnold is brilliant at one or two things and maybe not as good defensively. " The former Liverpool star has regularly been criticised for the defensive side of his game throughout his career. And with that being a strength of Carvajal's, manager Alonso has a tough decision to make when both are fit. After a slight struggle on his debut against Al-Hilal, Alexander-Arnold has been at his best and has starred in the last two games. An impressive performance against RB Salzburg in Real Madrid's final group game was followed up by another against Juventus. In a tight last 16 clash, Alexander-Arnold stepped up to provide a winning assist, his first for the club, to help them progress. The England international perfectly lofted a cross into the box, with young striker Gonzalo Garcia heading home. He will now hope to start his fifth game in a row for Real in their Club World Cup quarter-final against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday. But come their first La Liga fixture of the new season against Osasuna in August, his regular place in the team may be lost. © 2025 talk SPORT Limited

Registered in England No. 2806093. Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, SE1 9GF

talk SPORT is a registered trade mark of Wireless Group Media (GB) Limited.

This service is provided on talk SPORT Limited's Terms of Use in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy.