Trent Alexander-Arnold given Real Madrid reality check as his team-mate slams Xabi Alonso

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Trent Alexander-Arnold faces a fight for his place at Real Madrid(Image: Real Madrid via Getty Images)

Trent Alexander-Arnold has been given a taste of the savage reality of life at Real Madrid after watching Rodrygo let rip at manager Xabi Alonso.

Los Blancos have enjoyed a promising beginning to the campaign, securing two La Liga victories from two matches without conceding a single goal.

But for Sunday's clash at Real Oviedo, Alexander-Arnold found himself relegated to the bench, highlighting the wealth of talented options at new manager Alonso's disposal.



Real went on to win 3-0 courtesy of a double from Kylian Mbappe and a stoppage-time effort from Vinicius Jr.

While the former Liverpool defender showed no signs of discontent after replacing starter Dani Carvajal in the closing stages, another squad member, Rodrygo, was caught seething after being replaced by Vinicius just after the hour mark.

Upon taking his place on the bench, the Brazilian was seen hurling the training shirt he'd been given to the floor before launching into an expletive-laden tirade.

To compound his frustration, Rodrygo was recently omitted from Brazil's squad for the latest round of World Cup qualifiers by boss Carlo Ancelotti, Alonso's predecessor at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The current Real manager addressed his decision to substitute Rodrygo after the Oviedo game, saying: "We've put the World Cup behind us and this season counts.

"I'm counting on Rodrygo; it's only one match, and we shouldn't read too much into it.

In a few months, I'll be able to answer with more certainty, but today it was down to the circumstances of the match and my decisions."

Rodrygo and Alexander-Arnold are not certain starters for Real(Image: Real Madrid via Getty Images)

However, with heightened competition from Argentine prodigy Franco Mastantuono, 18, a summer acquisition from River Plate, Rodrygo faces a battle for his position.

This could prompt the 24-year-old to pursue a departure from the Spanish capital, with Liverpool among the Premier League clubs to have been linked with the £86m-rated forward, as well as Bayern Munich.

With the transfer window closing on Monday, it will be fascinating to see whether Rodrygo features in Saturday night's home encounter with Mallorca.

Meanwhile, while Alexander-Arnold certainly won't be voicing complaints like Rodrygo, Alonso has suggested he may need to accept starting on the bench at times.

Xabi Alonso has heaped praise on Alexander-Arnold's direct rival, Dani Carvajal(Image: Getty Images)

Following the Oviedo fixture, Alonso lauded fellow full-back Carvajal, 33, saying the experienced defender merits a recall to the Spain squad.