Wayne Rooney Tells Trent Alexander-Arnold to Improve as Serious Flaw Noticed

Wayne Rooney has pinpointed a critical area for improvement in Trent Alexander-Arnold's game, urging the former Liverpool right-back to bolster his defensive skills to reach the pinnacle of world football.[1]

Alexander-Arnold, 27, departed Liverpool last summer in a surprising £8.4 million transfer to Real Madrid ahead of the Club World Cup, allowing him to feature for Los Blancos in the United States.[1] His debut season in Spain has been marred by persistent injuries, including a two-month thigh issue sustained during a win over Athletic Club. He recently returned, substituting against Valencia in early February, starting in a league victory over Real Sociedad, and featuring in a dramatic 1-0 Champions League play-off win at Benfica.[1]

Speaking on Amazon Prime Video before the Benfica match, Rooney praised Alexander-Arnold's attacking prowess: "On the ball, he’s one of the best in world football." However, he highlighted a glaring weakness: "Off the ball, defensively, that’s where he has to improve. That’s where the question marks are on Trent. A lot of teams will target down the sides in transition. He has to be good at defending. He has to be good at both sides of the game."[1] Rooney concluded, "If he improves that, there’s no doubt that he will be the best full-back in the world."[1]

Across 14 appearances for Madrid this season, Alexander-Arnold has provided two assists, showing glimpses of his offensive talent amid adaptation challenges.[1] Meanwhile, Rooney has also reflected on Liverpool's post-departure struggles, noting the Reds' rebuild after losing key players like Alexander-Arnold, Luis Diaz, and Darwin Nunez, alongside Diogo Jota's tragic passing. He suggested even Nunez "brought something" to the team despite his divisive tenure.[2]

Controversy lingers around Alexander-Arnold's Anfield exit, with fans booing his return, feeling betrayed by prior loyalty pledges. Rooney and Jamie Carragher addressed family drama involving Trent's brother Marcell's provocative Twitch streams and social media posts during Liverpool games, advising those close to him to "calm down" and step back to let tensions ease.[4]

This saga underscores Alexander-Arnold's transition from Liverpool icon to Madrid project player, where defensive mastery could cement his legacy.[1][4]