Better at attacking than defending has been one of the most common ways to describe Alexander-Arnold's career to date.

A full-back who bombed forward, and sometimes in a hybrid right-back/midfield role.

For a while, then England boss Gareth Southgate even tried him as a regular midfielder.

Trent Alexander-Arnold opens up on Real Madrid debut and reveals what Xabi Alonso told the team at half-time as Spanish giants are held by Al-Hilal at Club World Cup	Trent Alexander-Arnold STARTS for Real Madrid as England defender makes long-awaited debut for Spanish giants in Club World Cup clash after leaving Liverpool	Spanish press unimpressed by Trent Alexander-Arnold debut as former Liverpool man makes post-match admission

He left Anfield with 23 goals and 86 assists as he almost changed what the idea of a full-back can be.

So all eyes were on how he would fare with a new team.

"We know Trent Alexander-Arnold's quality on the ball," said former Newcastle and Manchester City goalkeeper Shay Given on Dazn.

"He is a phenomenal player.

"Real Madrid in the Spanish league will have a lot of possession and Trent will play higher up the pitch.

"He will be questioned in this tournament defensively as they come up against stronger opposition.

Can he step up?

"He said he wanted to go there and win the Ballon d'Or.

That's a big statement in itself."

Alonso lined up with a standard back four in Miami - as opposed to the wing-back system he enjoyed great success with at Bayer Leverkusen.

Alexander-Arnold played at right-back and did get involved in midfield too.

But as the graphics above show he did not get as involved as much centrally as he did in his last start for Liverpool, a 3-1 loss at Chelsea on 4 May.

And he got involved in deeper positions too, to the right side of the penalty box, which is a place he was not seen as often in that game at Stamford Bridge.

But he attempted more crossfield balls than he did at Chelsea (as evidenced by the graphics below).

However - and it is something he might have to get used to until he settles in - he did not take any set-pieces for Real.

Newcastle striker Callum Wilson, who has been in England squads with the defender, said: "I have not seen as many people strike a ball as cleanly as him.

Free-kicks, corners, set-pieces, he is going to add that to their game.

"He is going to be showing his qualities and won't be getting challenged defensively as much."


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