Jurgen Klopp's bizarre reason for dropping Trent Alexander-Arnold in 2018 amid current woes

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Jurgen Klopp once dropped Alexander-Arnold for a match against Manchester City in 2018(Image: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Trent Alexander-Arnold probably didn't expect to find himself benched for Real Madrid's second game of the season.

He was unceremoniously left on the sidelines by Xabi Alonso for Real's game against Real Oviedo in favour of veteran full-back Dani Carvajal, 33.

Alexander-Arnold, 26, eventually made it onto the pitch, but had to wait until the 87th minute.



Previously, Klopp dropped his right-back for a crunch tie against Manchester City in October 2018.

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Despite being over two years into his senior career with the Reds at the time, and cementing himself as a generational talent, Alexander-Arnold was left out against Pep Guardiola's side.

Instead, Joe Gomez deputised at right-back in a 0-0 draw.

“I don’t think it’s a challenge, but if a player struggles with something like that [being dropped], he will struggle over his career.

Trent Alexander-Arnold was benched early on his Liverpool career by Klopp(Image: Liverpool Echo/Colin Lane)

“It was his birthday, the City game, so I thought the night before, a lot of people might have contacted him, so I didn’t want to disturb all these message exchanges.

Real boss Alonso suggested that no one is guaranteed a starting spot, while he later hinted that Carvajal could retain his place in the team for some time to come.

Alonso said: “It depends on what we need in terms of the game, the workload and the opposition.

The Real boss suggested that the full-back's form could potentially be good enough to see him regain a spot back in the Spain squad - and his effusive praise for his compatriot will come as a dire warning for Alexander-Arnold.

“He'd like to return, but it's the coach's decision," Alonso said of Carvajal.