Trent Alexander-Arnold was closely concerned in a combined debut for Actual Madrid because the post-Liverpool spell of his profession actually started.
The 26-year-old, with the title Trent and quantity 12 on the again of his white equipment, began for Xabi Alonso’s aspect of their Membership World Cup opener towards Al-Hilal,
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If it had not absolutely sunk in that Alexander-Arnold had left his boyhood membership after 354 video games and a clear sweep of all the main trophies it absolutely has now.
The England man – an £8.4m signing whose Liverpool deal was on account of expire on 30 June – was concerned in each the nice and unhealthy aspect of issues earlier than being changed within the sixty fifth minute.
“An incredible day to make my debut for Actual Madrid, nearly what each participant goals of,” he informed Dazn afterwards.
“Unimaginable, I felt the assist from the second I signed for the membership. Sensational.
“The fanbase is actually world all around the world. You’re feeling it each single day.”
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BBC Sport has a take a look at how he acquired on in Miami.
How did ‘Trent’ do?
The total-back was trying to reinvent himself barely after his acrimonious exit from Anfield, talking Spanish at his unveiling and adopting his first title as a substitute of his surname on the again of his shirt.
He was one in all two debutants in Alonso’s first recreation in cost, together with ex-Bournemouth centre-back Dean Huijsen.
Alexander-Arnold acquired off to a little bit of a shaky begin however improved as the sport went on.
On three completely different events he was caught out of place as Al-Hilal broke down Actual’s right-hand aspect and created alternatives. A type of was when he misplaced the ball on the midway line.
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He was in a position to full the easy passes however failed when he tried his extra formidable balls, together with a crossfield effort that flew over Vinicius Jr’s head.
Hassan Al Tambakti beat him within the air to move huge from a nook.
However then issues appeared to choose up for him – and he had a hand of their aim.
Alexander-Arnold minimize out a cross from Salem Al Dawsari within the right-back place and handed to Gonzalo Garcia. Moments later Garcia capped off a swift counter-attack to offer Madrid the lead.
He additionally blocked an Al Dawsari shot.
At half-time his passing accuracy at 84% was solely behind Vinicius for Actual gamers, however within the second half he didn’t misplace a cross.
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He was enjoying additional ahead, within the attacking midfield place at instances, choosing out team-mates.
And in a single spectacular transfer he acquired the ball within the centre circle and skipped previous Kalidou Koulibaly in a great run ahead earlier than being tackled. Moments later he had the ball again and swung a cross into the field.
By the point he got here off he had performed extra crosses (5), entered the ultimate third of the pitch (12) and had extra passes within the ultimate third of the pitch (16) than any of his team-mates.
Just one Actual participant had extra touches than his 57 at that stage.
Nonetheless he additionally misplaced the ball extra instances than anybody else with 12.
How did it examine to his Liverpool days?
Higher at attacking than defending has been one of the crucial widespread methods to explain Alexander-Arnold’s profession up to now.
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A full-back who bombed ahead, and generally in a hybrid right-back/midfield function.
For some time, then England boss Gareth Southgate even tried him as an everyday midfielder.
He left Anfield with 23 objectives and 86 assists as he nearly modified what the thought of a full-back will be.
So all eyes had been on how he would fare with a brand new workforce.
“We all know Trent Alexander-Arnold’s high quality on the ball,” stated former Newcastle and Manchester Metropolis goalkeeper Shay Given on Dazn.
“He is an outstanding participant.
“Actual Madrid within the Spanish league can have a number of possession and Trent will play greater up the pitch.
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“He can be questioned on this match defensively as they arrive up towards stronger opposition. Can he step up?
“He stated he wished to go there and win the Ballon d’Or. That is a giant assertion in itself.”
Alonso lined up with a typical again 4 in Miami – versus the wing-back system he loved nice success with at Bayer Leverkusen.
Alexander-Arnold performed at right-back and did get entangled in midfield too.
However because the graphics above present he didn’t get as concerned as a lot centrally as he did in his final begin for Liverpool, a 3-1 loss at Chelsea on 4 Could.
And he acquired concerned in deeper positions too, to the precise aspect of the penalty field, which is a spot he was not seen as usually in that recreation at Stamford Bridge.
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However he tried extra crossfield balls than he did at Chelsea (as evidenced by the graphics under).
Nonetheless – and it’s one thing he might need to get used to till he settles in – he didn’t take any set-pieces for Actual.
Newcastle striker Callum Wilson, who has been in England squads with the defender, stated: “I’ve not seen as many individuals strike a ball as cleanly as him. Free-kicks, corners, set-pieces, he’s going so as to add that to their recreation.
“He’s going to be exhibiting his qualities and will not be getting challenged defensively as a lot.”
Two months to talk Spanish?
Alexander-Arnold stunned everybody at his unveiling when he appeared to talk in fluent Spanish.
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That had riled up some Liverpool followers who claimed it meant he knew he was going to Madrid for a very long time and had already realized the language.
After his debut he requested Dazn if he might converse in English, saying “after enjoying a recreation, it’s arduous to pay attention that a lot to talk Spanish”.
When requested how lengthy he had been studying Spanish, he stated: “A few months. It was one thing vital that I needed to do.
“It is very important present the intent that I wish to embrace the tradition and adapt as finest as doable.”
Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, watching the sport as a pundit, appeared doubtful on the velocity through which Alexander-Arnold claimed to be taught the language.
“He spent a few months studying Spanish, however I do not agree with that,” he stated. “Possibly a 12 months!”