MADRID — Xabi Alonso has confirmed that Trent Alexander-Arnold is “ready” to start for Real Madrid in their upcoming match against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday, following his recovery from injury and a challenging return to Anfield. Alexander-Arnold made a brief appearance during Real Madrid’s 1-0 defeat to Liverpool, facing a chorus of boos from fans in a game that marked his first outing since suffering a hamstring injury in September.
So far this season, the England international has played only 165 minutes for Madrid, competing for his spot against players like Dani Carvajal, who is currently sidelined due to injury, and Federico Valverde, who has also stepped in as a right-back option.
“Yes, [Trent] is ready, he’s been training for a few weeks,” Alonso stated at a press conference on Saturday. “Tomorrow you’ll know if he starts or not … In the circumstances, [Valverde] has played there and done well… He’s always ready to help the team. It’s an option we have.”
Despite being a long-term target for Madrid, Alexander-Arnold’s impact in Spain has yet to be significant. His return to Anfield did not go as hoped, as he was unable to make a meaningful impact amid the disappointing defeat. Alonso noted that Madrid’s recent form has been inconsistent, with high-profile losses, including a 4-0 semifinal defeat to Paris Saint-Germain and a 5-2 loss in the derby against Atlético Madrid, although they managed a victory against rivals Barcelona last month.
When discussing the performance metrics from the Liverpool match, Alonso remarked on the context of the statistics. Madrid players covered 106.5 km, compared to Liverpool’s 110.2 km, leading to questions about their effort in the match. “You have to look at how the game went; you can’t make a definitive judgement on just one game … We’ve analysed the game, we’ve talked about it, and now it’s about Vallecas,” he said.
Alonso emphasized the importance of performance consistency but acknowledged that not all games unfold similarly. He expressed confidence in his players’ commitment, saying he has “no complaints” about their attitude.
Amidst their challenges, Madrid currently leads LaLiga with 30 points from 11 matches, sitting five points clear of second-placed Barcelona. This positive position in the league provides a hopeful backdrop for Alexander-Arnold and his teammates as they look to turn their fortunes around.