Jose Mourinho ‘views Trent Alexander-Arnold in a different way’ as resolution made on Liverpool icon
Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has made up his mind about former Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold after their win over Inter in the Champions League
Jose Mourinho spoke at length about playing Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield(Image: Quality Sport Images, Getty Images)
Jose Mourinho has decided on Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future in the Real Madrid team after their Champions League match against Inter.
Alexander-Arnold, 27, started the 2-1 win in midfield rather than at right-back, and their returning head coach reportedly views him differently than other full-backs. Mourinho declared in his post-match press conference that the former Liverpool vice-captain is not a midfielder.
Aurelien Tchouameni replaced Alexander-Arnold in the second half, within two minutes of their opponents halving the deficit. Madrid held on to win their first match of the league phase thanks to two first-half goals from Federico Valverde and Kylian Mbappe.
Trent Alexander-Arnold played in midfield for Real Madrid against Inter Milan(Image: Angel Martinez, Getty Images)
The BBC reports that Alexander-Arnold has caught Mourinho’s attention with his performances thus far and the manager appreciates his positional flexibility. His ability to operate in midfield despite starting as a full-back is said to be what sets him apart in the coach’s eyes.
Mourinho discussed Alexander-Arnold at length during his post-match media briefing. He admitted after the game that, regarding midfield partner Valverde: “It’s difficult to play with Trent [Alexander-Arnold], to whom I’m very grateful for the work he did.”
“But his characteristics as a midfielder and the physical demands of playing at full-back or in midfield… It’s a completely different set of demands.”
Jose Mourinho does not see Trent Alexander-Arnold as a midfielder in his plans(Image: Quality Sport Images, Getty Images)
When quizzed about the choice to pick Alexander-Arnold ahead of other midfield alternatives, Mourinho responded: “He played very well. He understood his tactical role perfectly.
“The runs of his number eights, Curtis Jones and Nicolo Barella, both he and Valverde… They worked very well at this level.
“He had a few turnovers here and there, because it’s not the same playing with the whole field in front of you as it is with half the field in front of you and the other half behind you. He’s played there before with Liverpool and the national team, but he’s not a midfielder, mainly because of the intensity.”
Ex-Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold is competing with Denzel Dumfries for the right-back spot at Real Madrid(Image: Eurasia Sport Images, Getty Images)
Mourinho elaborated on the differences, stating: “The specific demands of the physical work… It’s a very difficult position.
“You need a completely different kind of engine than his, which is more typical of a positional full-back. And he gave his all. When he came off (in the 79th-minute), he had nothing left to give. And I appreciate the effort he made for the team.”
It remains to be seen how Mourinho will utilise Alexander-Arnold, if at all, in Saturday’s league match against Rayo Vallecano. They then face Elche next Wednesday, before making the cross-city trip to Atletico Madrid a week on Sunday.
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Liverpool host Atlético Madrid in their opening Champions League fixture on September 9. Fans can watch the game live on TNT Sports via HBO Max or Prime Video’s TNT Sports channel.
