Inside Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Real Madrid struggles: How injury setbacks and Jose Mourinho’s indifference – despite flashes of ‘awesome’ brilliance and Kylian Mbappe’s backing – have left fallen star at a career crossroads

Craig Hope reports that Trent Alexander-Arnold faces a career crossroads at Real Madrid after falling down the pecking order under manager Jose Mourinho. Ahead of Sunday's El Clasico, the 28-year-old former Liverpool player has become Madrid's third-choice right back, behind midfielder Federico Valverde and Denzel Dumfries, despite receiving praise from teammate Kylian Mbappe.

Hope and Spanish football analyst Terry Gibson note that injury setbacks contributed heavily to Alexander-Arnold's struggles, with the defender missing 23 fixtures last season. Gibson believes Mourinho does not trust Alexander-Arnold defensively in major matches, leaving the English full-back with an uncertain future at the Bernabeu.