Trent Alexander-Arnold’s long-awaited La Liga debut for Real Madrid has been met with sharp criticism in Spain. After leaving Liverpool in the summer, the 26-year-old right-back made his first league appearance at the Santiago Bernabéu in a 1–0 win over Osasuna, but his performance left the Spanish press unimpressed.

MARCA branded his display “lukewarm,” highlighting the same defensive vulnerabilities that followed him in the Premier League. The paper noted that Dani Carvajal, whom Alexander-Arnold was signed to replace, immediately raised the standard after coming on. El Confidencial went further, calling Trent’s performance “timid” under the Bernabéu lights and contrasting him with fellow debutant Álvaro Carreras, who offered more attacking spark on the opposite flank.

Alonso’s Verdict: “Not Spectacular”

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso sought to temper the criticism, describing his four debutants’ performances as “solid, perhaps not spectacular, but their nerves did not weigh them down.” Still, Madridistas demand excellence, and Alexander-Arnold will quickly realise that reputation counts for little in Spain’s unforgiving footballing culture.

Liverpool fans, meanwhile, seized on his struggles. Many took to social media to mock their former No.66, delighted to see new signing Jeremie Frimpong shine in his place at Anfield. Wayne Rooney even suggested Frimpong might prove Liverpool’s most influential signing this season.

Trent’s performance from @CF_Compss twitter below:

Hooked After 70 Minutes

The numbers did Trent few favours: zero tackles won, no duels won, 15 possession losses, and a humiliating nutmeg. After just under 70 minutes, Alonso replaced him with Carvajal, drawing further attention to his shaky start. Online, critics piled in. Comments ranged from “Absolute stinker” to “He’ll be back at Aston Villa in 18 months.”

Liverpool supporters, still raw from the way Trent left, have shown little sympathy. His fluent Spanish at his Madrid unveiling was derided as “trying too hard,” while others joked they would be “front row for every Trent stinker.”

Room for Redemption

Yet it would be premature to write him off. In La Liga, where Madrid dominate possession, his passing range and creativity could eventually thrive. The real test, however, will come in the Champions League, where defensive lapses are punished more ruthlessly. With the group stage draw looming on August 28, there’s every chance Real Madrid — and Trent — will be handed a return to Anfield, in what would be a fiery reunion.

For now, though, Alexander-Arnold’s Madrid adventure has started on rocky ground. The scrutiny is fierce, the expectations higher still — and if he cannot adapt quickly, the dream move risks becoming a nightmare.