Real Madrid punish Liverpool icon Trent Alexander-Arnold after 'code of conduct' broken
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Liverpool Echo IconSportFootballTrent Alexander-ArnoldFormer Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold was left out of the Real Madrid squad for the Madrid derby against Atletico on Sunday, with Spanish reports claiming he arrived late to trainingFormer Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold's challenging week took a further hit on Sunday, with the defender reportedly benched by Real Madrid due to disciplinary issues. Alexander-Arnold's omission from the starting XI for the Madrid derby against Atletico came as a surprise, given his recent run in the team.The 27-year-old has been in the starting line-up for all of Real's last four Champions League matches and before last week's victory over Elche, had played in five consecutive La Liga matches.
However, it was Dani Carvajal who Alvaro Arbeloa chose as right-back on Sunday, with Alexander-Arnold reportedly benched after turning up late for a training session.According to Spanish publication Marca, Alexander-Arnold "arrived late to one of the final training sessions of the week", leading to Arbeloa sending a "clear message with a decision focused on discipline and dressing room order."READ MORE: Ekitike, Salah and Alisson - Liverpool latest injury news and return dates after Brighton blowMarca further reports that Arbeloa "respected the team's code of conduct and made the necessary decision to maintain order within the group."This news comes at the end of a week where Thomas Tuchel decided to leave the former Liverpool player out of his expanded 35-man England squad."I know it's a tough decision for Trent as it is for Ollie Watkins and Luke Shaw. All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page"It's a sporting decision.
We stick with Tino Livramento, Djed Spence and Jarell Quansah who can all play at right full-back."It's a tough one, it's a big name, a huge talent and a big career, but I know what Trent can give us and have decided to stick with the players we have."Since leaving Anfield last summer, Alexander-Arnold has had a varied first season at Real, marred by two injury spells. He has appeared 25 times for Los Blancos and received praise for his performance in the Champions League double-header against Manchester City.Alexander-Arnold's recent return to the Real squad has quashed rumours about a potential summer departure, with previous reports from Spain suggesting Arbeloa was not entirely convinced by the Liverpool academy product.He could face the Reds again this season, having played against his childhood club in November's Champions League match at Anfield.If the Reds overcome Paris Saint-Germain and Real knock out Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals, the two European powerhouses could meet again in the semi-finals of the competition.Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL packageThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.