Trent Alexander-Arnold slammed for 'lackadaisical' Real Madrid error with grave consequences
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Liverpool IconLiverpool FC NewsFeaturesTrent Alexander-ArnoldTrent Alexander-Arnold has received more criticism, with the former Liverpool vice-captain slammed for his part in Real Madrid conceding to Benfica in the Champions League play-offsTrent Alexander-Arnold has been criticized for his part in Real Madrid conceding against Benfica(Image: Getty Images)Trent Alexander-Arnold has been slammed for his “lackadaisical” defending as Real Madrid was given a scare in its Champions League play-off against Benfica.Having won in Lisbon last week in a game marred by the alleged racist abuse of Vinicius Jr, Real went into the second leg of their meeting at the Bernabeu as strong favorites to secure a spot in the last-16.Former Liverpool vice-captain Alexander-Arnold was handed another start at right-back by Alvaro Arbeloa as he continues to hunt down a first European title in Spain, although Los Blancos didn’t get off to the best of starts on home turf.READ MORE: Kylian Mbappe tipped to help Liverpool solve Alexander Isak conundrumREAD MORE: Inter Milan star blames Liverpool for Champions League exit with 'made up' claimBenfica took a surprise lead to level the tie on aggregate, with Rafa Silva turning the ball home after the visitors managed to break through acres of space down the hosts’ left-hand side.Real would soon restore their overall lead through Aurelien Tchouameni, although the tie was still far from over with just the one goal separating the teams on aggregate at half-time.And, although the goal didn’t materialize down his side of the pitch, Alexander-Arnold still found himself coming in for heavy cricitism from TNT Sports pundits Joe Cole and Joleon Lescott, having got himself on the wrong side of the goalscorer.Rafa Silva opened the scoring for Benfica against Real Madrid(Image: Getty Images)“Real Madrid were poor, both full-backs, [Alvaro] Carreras and Trent Alexander-Arnold, were leaving space down the outside, and they just kept exposing,” former Liverpool player Cole said.Analyzing the goal, he added: “Trent just looks lackadaisical. It’s a great start for Benfica.”Meanwhile, Lescott said: “The full-backs, especially Trent, when he’s recovering - I don’t know why he’s trying to pull off and read the cut-back, there’s no forward in there.
Can he get goalside and try to defend?”Get LFC's 2025/26 season home and away kitsThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn moreFrom $100LFC.comSee the dealLiverpool's home and away strips for the 2025/26 season are the first in their new partnership with adidas.Fans can order jerseys in the US at Fanatics.com or via the LFC Online Store in both the US and across the world.Alexander-Arnold will be hoping to secure his place in Friday’s draw, when Liverpool and the rest of the sides still remaining in the competition will discover their last-16 opponents, as well as their paths to the final.There is the possibility of the Reds’ former right-back returning to Anfield again this season, with Real a potential semi-final opponent for Arne Slot’s side, with Liverpool having already beaten Madrid during the league phase.Liverpool.com says: As much as there might still be a bit of bad blood with the way Alexander-Arnold left Liverpool, even we have to admit that pinning the blame on him for Benfica’s goal is a bit harsh.
Carreras was by far the guilty party in that scenario, and for him to get away with little criticism is strange.Liverpool FCTrent Alexander-ArnoldReal Madrid CF