Trent Alexander-Arnold continues to find life after Liverpool difficult, with his Real Madrid future looking iffy under Jose Mourinho

Former Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold suffered a new low in his Real Madrid career as he was left in the cold for the fourth time this season. The England international was forced to watch on from the bench as Los Blancos ran out 4-1 winners at home to Sevilla.

Sunday's stint on the side was the fourth time in the league this season, and it marks another difficult moment for Alexander-Arnold. So far, the 28-year-old has made just two starts in the league while struggling for regular outings after being left on the bench in three of the last four.

Jose Mourinho continues to tinker with his options to find his best squad, and it appears that central midfielder Fede Valverde is emerging as the preferred option at full-back. In the summer, Denzel Dumfries signed from Inter Milan, offering fresh competition for Alexander-Arnold, who is in his second full season with the La Liga giants.

The Real Madrid boss said: "The other day, half-jokingly and half-seriously, I said that if we had four Valverdes, they’d play in four different positions.

"He’s one of the most versatile players in football today. He can play anywhere and at a very high level. Today, he played a brilliant game.

"He’s the captain of Real Madrid, and if he has to play as a goalkeeper, then gloves on and into the goal."

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Alexander-Arnold has managed to work his way back into the England squad after being omitted from Thomas Tuchel's side.

The glare has been on the Liverpool record-breaker after he made the move to Real Madrid following the expiry of his contract. Reflecting on the move in an interview published last September, Alexander-Arnold revealed the opportunity was too good to turn down.

He said: "It was one of the toughest decisions of my life. Liverpool is my home; it made me who I am. But Madrid felt like the right step, at the right time. It is definitely a challenge, but it's a challenge I welcome.

”The Bernabeu is a sacred place. You feel the weight of the jersey, but that very thing pushes you to give it your all.

" Of course the legacy (of Real Madrid) is undeniable. But more than that, what attracted me was the ambition and the desire to prove myself in a new context.

”Yes, I feel it's a personal transformation as well as a professional one. Moving to a new country, learning a new culture, pushes you as a person. It's more than soccer.”

However, it hasn't transpired that way so far, with his selection possibilities being dealt a blow after the arrival of Dumfries. The Dutch defender has played nine times across all competitions, seven in the league and in both of the Champions League outings so far.

Alexander-Arnold was tested as a midfielder for the group opener against Inter Milan, lasting 79 minutes, but it was an experiment that even Mourinho conceded had failed. It leaves the former Liverpool man in a difficult position in the Spanish capital, as his gametime is limited and he seems to be falling down the pecking order.

Valverde's nod for the right-back starting berth left Alexander-Arnold watching on from the bench with his full-back rival, Dumfries, and with the Uruguayan courting praise from Mourinho, the Liverpool academy graduate finds himself with a decision on his hands. In recent months, a Premier League comeback has been mooted, adding more uncertainty around his future.

The Reds haven't managed to replace the creative full-back, and with Jeremie Frimpong joining Conor Bradley on the sidelines, Liverpool have few options at right-back. Ronald Araujo has been an inspired loan signing and can play at right-back, but Liverpool have been linked as an option to end Alexander-Arnold's La Liga nightmare.

Manchester City have also been linked, but that speculation could simmer as the club continues to battle the Premier League's financial charges against them, of which they were found guilty on 114 counts. While their sanctions are subject to appeal, Enzo Maresca's side are facing endless possibilities of punishment, which could scupper a North West return to the former Liverpool man.