Former Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold's true feelings at Real Madrid have supposedly emerged, though his tough spell in the Spanish capital doesn't look like changing any time soon

There was a school of thought when Trent Alexander-Arnold left Liverpool to sign for Real Madrid that he might finally be able to escape the discourse.

Throughout his time at Anfield, there was always a debate about whether he was strong enough defensively to counteract his incredible contributions going forward. Leaving England, though, there was a possibility that the focus would switch to his strengths.

So far, however, that does not appear to have been the case. His time at Real Madrid until now has seen him work under three different managers, and the latest — Jose Mourinho — does not look, on paper, to be a good fit for his style.

Last week, Mourinho selected Fede Valverde as his right-back against Sevilla. When it worked, he stuck with the Uruguayan in the Champions League demolition of RB Leipzig.

In addition to another more conventional right-back in Denzel Dumfries, it was not exactly a vote of confidence in Alexander-Arnold, who was left on the bench for the seventh time this season.

"The other day, half-jokingly, half-seriously, I was saying that if we had four Fedes, one would play at full-back, another in midfield, on the right wing, as a number 10..." Mourinho said.

"This is Fede Valverde, one of the most versatile players in world football. He can play everywhere, and at a very high level. Today he played an outstanding match.

"It's not easy for a coach to keep two quality right-backs, two good players, (on the bench) but my feeling was that behind Endrick, a left-footed player who cuts inside and is a second striker.

"I thought I'd need a right-back with attacking depth, the stamina to get forward, and the quality to play well... and Fede did very well.

"But I don't have to convince him of anything, nor does he have to be convinced. He's the captain of Real Madrid, and if he has to play goalkeeper, then (give him) gloves and (he will play in) goal."

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It looks highly unlikely that Alexander-Arnold will feature in this weekend's Clasico against Barcelona as a result. And even if it isn't Valverde who is selected, it is likelier to be Dumfries.

At 28, and with a mixture of injuries and being involved in a team that has struggled for consistency not helping, it is a far from ideal situation that Alexander-Arnold finds himself in.

But despite being overlooked for a place in the team more often than not this term, however, The Athletic reports that Alexander-Arnold is happy at Real Madrid.

Plenty of pundits have speculated that he might want to return to Liverpool or that he could try another European side like Bayern Munich. It seems, though, that he will persist in La Liga for now.