New season, new boss - will Alexander-Arnold be key figure at Real Madrid?

More 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.

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.

Real Madrid paid Liverpool a reported 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.