Trent Alexander-Arnold's cryptic post after England and Real Madrid blows
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Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold posted a cryptic message after being left out of Thomas Tuchel's England squad and benched for the Madrid derby following disciplinary actionFormer Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold shared the message 'Real Madrid and nothing else' following his England and Los Blancos snubs.Alexander-Arnold was relegated to the bench for the Spanish giants' Madrid derby match against Atletico Madrid, but came on to assist Vinicius Jr's winning goal in a 3-2 victory for Alvaro Arbeloa's team.His move to the substitutes came after he arrived late for a meeting in preparation for the clash with their city rivals. The 27-year-old made headlines after being left out of Thomas Tuchel's 35-man Three Lions squad for the upcoming international break, with Tino Livramento and Djed Spence chosen instead.READ MORE: Arne Slot told it's just not working at Liverpool as 'unhappy' Mohamed Salah point madeREAD MORE: Liverpool dealt fresh injury blow as Federico Chiesa withdraws from Italy squadHis departure from Liverpool stirred controversy on Merseyside after he let his contract run down before joining international team-mate Jude Bellingham at the Bernabeu.Following a week where the full-back has been the topic of conversation again, he posted on his Instagram: "Real Madrid and nothing else."Alexander-Arnold was brought on just after the hour mark, replacing veteran Dani Carvajal.Content cannot be displayed without consentThe England full-back was benched after starting in both of their victories over Manchester City in the Champions League, following reports that he violated the club's 'code of conduct'.Speaking after the win, Arbeloa said: "Every game I choose the best starting XI.
Dani Carvajal had great minutes and I'm very pleased with him."Trent had a great impact and I'm lucky to have many good options, and that everyone is contributing as they did today. I repeat once again, in every game I select the best possible line-up for the team."FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE!
All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook pageReal Madrid remain four points adrift of league leaders Barcelona following their victory in a five-goal thriller against Atletico Madrid.Vinicius Jr bagged a brace, including the decisive goal 18 minutes from time after Alexander-Arnold's pass, to overcome Diego Simeone's side, though they were forced to defend in the closing stages with 10 men following Federico Valverde's straight red card.This season has been disrupted by injury for Alexander-Arnold, with his settling-in period in the Spanish capital hindered by persistent fitness problems.Tuchel outlined the reasoning behind the omission, he said: "I know very well what Trent can offer us."I played many times against him and suffered when he played against my teams with Liverpool. So I know very well about his strength and what he can give."But at the moment it is like we have evidence how good we were in September, October, November, and the players who are in camp for right full-back, they have to push for their ticket, they have to compete, they have to show again that they deserve this."He has featured 14 times in La Liga for Los Blancos and made a further seven appearances in the Champions League, but his creative spark hasn't quite matched what he demonstrated during his years at Liverpool, registering just three assists in the league.There remains a possibility for Alexander-Arnold to face his former club again in the Champions League, after his nine-minute cameo in the League Phase, as they could meet in the semi-final should Liverpool overcome holders Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid dash Harry Kane's ambitions with Bayern Munich.England's 2026 World Cup kitsThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.