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

After leaving Liverpool for Real Madrid more than a year and a half ago, Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to begin his second season with the Spanish club under Jose Mourinho, his third manager. The 27-year-old right-back was initially hailed as one of the most versatile defenders in the world, capable of influencing games through his passing range, crossing ability and experience in managing high-pressure moments.

However, his first season was marred by injuries, managerial changes, and difficulty in adapting to a new league, causing him to miss out on England's World Cup squad. With encouraging signs during pre-season, Alexander-Arnold hopes to finally establish himself as a key figure in Madrid for the upcoming campaign. Real Madrid paid £8.4m for Alexander-Arnold, releasing him from his Liverpool contract just a month earlier due to injury concerns.

Despite two separate injuries during his debut season, he managed to feature in 35 of Real Madrid's 62 matches across all competitions, but was never the first choice, sharing the right-back role with club legend Dani Carvajal. While the defensive doubts that followed him throughout his Liverpool career continued in Madrid, his quality in possession stood out.

Alexander-Arnold's pre-season under Mourinho has been encouraging, with the Portuguese manager expressing admiration for the England international's performances, versatility, and the range of skills he brings to the squad. However, competition for places remains fierce at Real Madrid, with Denzel Dumfries' arrival from Inter Milan adding another challenge for Alexander-Arnold.

Consistency will be crucial for him as Mourinho aims to shape a squad capable of challenging for domestic and European success again.