Trent Alexander-Arnold has established himself as Real Madrid’s first-choice right back, but it appears his performances haven’t pleased all of his team-mates.
Alexander-Arnold has started in five of the Spanish giants’ last six matches, including Friday night’s 1-1 draw at Real Betis.
And it appears that LaLiga encounter has raised some eyebrows after footage showed one of them mocking his actions.
The culprit? Dani Carvajal – the man Alexander-Arnold has usurped in defence.
Carvajal was an unused substitute once more, amid reports in Spain that he has fallen out with Real Madrid boss Alvaro Arbeloa – something the latter has denied.
As a result of his omission from the starting line-up, there was a particular focus on Carvajal on the bench from the Spanish media – with television cameras picking up his analysis of Alexander-Arnold in one play.
Dani Carvajal (right) mocked team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold’s defensive effort during Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw at Real Betis on Friday night
He was unimpressed with one defensive action by fellow right back Alexander-Arnold (right)
Carvajal, who was an unusued substitute, then proceeded to say something on the Real bench
In the action, Carvajal gestures with his fingers at how slowly Alexander-Arnold is running back to help out his team-mates, implying that he is walking and not sprinting back.
The 34-year-old then whispers to a team-mate while covering his mouth, although it is not clear if that is a direct comment about the former Liverpool star.
Speculation of a rift between Carvajal and Arbeloa emerged after Real’s 2-1 win over Alaves on April 21, when the latter said he ‘think about what’s best for the team,’ when asked about his right-back selections.
Addressing his comments last Thursday ahead of the trip to Betis, Arbeloa expanded: ‘It was a short, serious answer to a question I thought was out of place.
‘It wasn’t short based on Dani Carvajal. You can see, since I’ve been here, what my answers have been about him, and you can ask my players how I speak about Dani Carvajal with the group.
‘People are trying to put an unjustified, unfair spin on this. He’s more than ready to go to the World Cup. He’s started games for us, and he’s done well. He’s a fundamental player, on and off the pitch, and for the national team it should be the same […] He might be the most important academy product in the history of the club.
‘I’ve always had a great relationship with him. It’s hard for me to believe any coach would pick a team for non-sporting reasons.
‘Trent Alexander-Arnold is showing a great level,’ Arbeloa said. ‘His performance is beyond doubt. Right now he deserves to play, and when he hasn’t played, Carvajal has done well… I’m not a coach to gift a minute to anyone.
Carvajal’s contract expires at the end of the season, and Arbeloa also refused to be drawn into his future at the Santiago Bernabeu beyond that.
‘I’ve always said, and with various players I always say the same, it’s something between Carvajal and the club’ he continued.
‘All I can say is what I’ve felt these months, which is that he’s helped us. Whatever is good for Carvajal and the club would make me happy.’
