Report: Carvajal has suggested Alexander-Arnold may be set for Real Madrid substitute role for 'a long time'

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Liverpool fans are unlikely to forget the perceived betrayal of Trent Alexander-Arnold towards them this summer.

Alexander-Arnold became a controversial figure on Merseyside in May, having run down his Reds contract to join Real Madrid for a paltry fee.

Despite being a celebrated graduate of the Liverpool academy, the right-back tore up his own legacy when he decided to ignore the chance to extend his contract and sign for Madrid instead.

Liverpool fans’ treatment of Alexander-Arnold was widely criticised by the media and plenty of former players, but the strength of feeling towards the former No.

66 will not fade any time soon.

So clear is supporters’ anger over his move to Spain, they will likely be keeping a close eye on how Alexander-Arnold is doing in the hope of seeing a fall from grace.

Those hoping for things to go wrong for the 26-year-old may be celebrating this bank holiday weekend, with news arriving that the former Liverpool man is set for a long spell riding the bench.

Photo by Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Having been a starter for new Madrid coach Xabi Alonso during the summer Club World Cup, Alexander-Arnold was in the XI for their first La Liga match against Osasuna on Tuesday.

However, with Madrid facing Real Oviedo on Sunday evening, the former Liverpool right-back was left on the bench.

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Alexander-Arnold did eventually emerge with just two minutes of regulation time left to play, with captain Dani Carvajal starting instead of him.

Carvajal has only recently returned from an ACL injury which kept him out for most of last season, but according to The Athletic, he is unlikely to give up his place in the team.

READ MORE: Alexis Mac Allister makes claim about former Liverpool teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold at the PFA awards

Citing sources close to Carvajal, they claim there is an expectation that the 33-year-old is set to keep his place in the starting XI for ‘a long time.’

Despite Alexander-Arnold’s signing, the veteran is seemingly set to be Alonso’s first choice at right-back.

Given his status at the club, it was always likely that Carvajal would take his place in Alonso’s starting XI once he returned to fitness.

In fairness to Alexander-Arnold, he would likely have known this – or would have been told – before signing for Real.

Nevertheless, it seems clear that the former Liverpool man’s success in Spain will be linked to the longevity of Carvajal rather than his own actions on the pitch.

It is still early days, of course, but if it carries on like this for Alexander-Arnold, he should really be questioning whether it was all worth it.

He would have been one of the all-time greats at Liverpool had he stayed and continued to collect trophies with the Reds.

Instead, he really is just another player in Madrid.