Trent Alexander-Arnold told exactly where he stands as Real Madrid star is benched again

Trent Alexander-Arnold will have to get used to sharing right-back duties with Dani Carvajal after dropping back to the bench for Real Madrid's latest La Liga match, with Xabi Alonso confirming that he intends to rotate the defenders.

Alexander-Arnold, 25, joined the Spanish giants shortly before his contract at Liverpool expired earlier this summer after confirming he would not be committing his future to the Premier League champions. Los Blancos paid around £10million to acquire him early ahead of the Club World Cup but Alexander-Arnold was dropped for their second La Liga gameof the new season with Carvajal back from injury.

The England star was then restored to the team for Real's 2-1 win over RCD Mallorca prior to the international break but found himself back on the bench for Saturday's 2-1 victory away at Real Sociedad.

Alonso had hinted before the game that neither Alexander-Arnold or Carvajal were first-choice and would be rotated moving forward, explaining that such competition is a “healthy thing”.

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“Fortunately, we have healthy competition within the squad. That's good for the team and the players,” Alonso said. “They have to be pushed to give their best. You know there is strong competition, you see teammates who are ready to play.

“So far, Trent and Carvajal have both had an impact in other positions as well, whether that be at centre-back or out wide. I think it's a really healthy thing for the day-to-day in the squad, so nobody feels disconnected. Whoever deserves it the most will play. That will be the case throughout the year.”

Alexander-Arnold did not go away with England during the international break with Thomas Tuchel opting to look at other right-back options. He explained: “I spoke to Trent. It was a difficult phone call but I wanted him to hear it from me. Which he appreciated and he was very clear that he’s desperate and keen to come back and play for England.

“It’s all in the mix but it is a competitive decision. And just to make the competition a little bit more spicy. First and foremost, I think Trent is a player who needs to feel trust and love from his manager and team-mates and from his club, his country and the fans. He needs that.

“Reece is at the moment slightly ahead in this position, given what he did for us in the last two camps and how he played the CWC with Chelsea. And then we went for Tino Livramento because of the rhythm that he has and he gives us the option to cover both sides.”

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