Xabi Alonso AGREES with Arne Slot over "weak link" Trent Alexander-Arnold | OneFootball

Liverpool have moved on quickly from Trent Alexander-Arnold. Arne Slot has got Conor Bradley ready to step into the right-back role on a more frequent basis with the Northern Ireland international agreeing a new, long-term contract.

The Reds have also completed a deal for Jeremie Frimpong, who can play at right-back, right midfield or right wing. In short the Anfield club are well stocked on the right side - softening the blow of losing a fan favourite to Real Madrid.

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Alexander-Arnold, 26, opted to run down his Liverpool contract in order to move to the Bernabeu - giving up his status as the Reds’ vice-captain and fan favourite in the process.

He ended up costing Real £8.4m and his career there hasn’t got off to the greatest of starts.

Injury problems kept him out of the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final hammering against Paris Saint-Germain - an absence which didn’t go down well with the Madrid media.

Trent keeping Xabi Alonso awake at night

But Trent is someone else’s problem now - and that person is Madrid coach Xabi Alonso.

A report in Spanish outlet Que has now revealed that the England full-back is a potential “weak link” in Alonso’s lineup - adding that Trent’s defensive deficiencies are keeping the Madrid boss awake at night.

“Trent Alexander Arnold's arrival at Real Madrid hasn't been as ideal as expected, and it's already causing concern for the coaching staff led by Xabi Alonso,” the report reads.

“There is one overwhelming statistic that is keeping Xabi Alonso awake at night.”

It goes on to detail Trent’s apparent weakness in one-on-one defending. Last season, it is claimed, the 26-year-old was dribbled past 56 times - the most of any full-back in Europe’s top five leagues.

Trent a potential "weak link"

“A full-back who is so frequently outplayed in one-on-one dribbling becomes a potential weak link,” the report reads.

This of course is no surprise to Liverpool nor to Arne Slot.

"I wasn't completely happy with every single minute how he was on the training ground," said the Liverpool head coach when Trent’s departure was confirmed.

"So in my opinion, he in certain moments could do a bit more, to say it mildly. And that's what we talked about. I said to him: 'you are a much better defender than everybody tells you but unfortunately you don't show it all the time.'"

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Alonso agrees with Slot assessment

Those concerns have now carried over to Trent’s new club - where he does not have the backing of millions of adoring fans like he did at Anfield.

“His defensive performance is an outstanding issue that Xabi Alonso must urgently address,” the report concludes.

“The concern is real, and the coaching staff will have to work hard to correct this weakness, either through tactical adjustments or individualized work.”

Alexander-Arnold has also got Dani Carvajal breathing down his neck. The 33-year-old is back after a terrible injury and won’t give up his starting position without a fight.

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