Trent Alexander-Arnold's Real Madrid move looks DOOMED from the start

Trent Alexander-Arnold is subject to a lot of speculation at the moment with Liverpool reported to have turned down a January bid for his services from Real Madrid.

His contract at Liverpool is set to expire at the end of the season, and while he has expressed a desire to keep his negotiations, or lack of, private, the rumours surrounding where his future may lie are rife.

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From January 1, he can officially speak to other clubs about potentially agreeing on a pre-contract for the 2025/26 season, and Liverpool fans have been left with their hearts in their mouths thinking about what his decision might be.

But despite all the noise, Trent has been working tirelessly on the pitch with Arne Slot, delivering much more defensively assured performances at right back as the club attempts to take home the coveted Premier League trophy this season.

However, the Spanish media that has been reporting Trent's 'desire' to move to Real Madrid, has already got plenty of concerns over the possibility of Trent failing to meet the standard required if he was to wear a white Los Blancos shirt next season.

'At Madrid, he will never be the Liverpool player'

A new report from the Spanish news outlet Relevo has delivered a damning indictment on Trent's likelihood to succeed at Real Madrid if he doesn't change the way he plays.

Known as being one of the best-attacking full-backs in the world, Trent is a footballing enigma, often playing as a defender who treats his defensive responsibilities as an afterthought.

Throughout his entire career, he has been brandished as a 'defender who cannot defend' and even though he has been able to win everything in sight as a Liverpool player, being fielded as a defender, he has never been able to shake off his moniker.

The report from Relevo claims: "At Anfield, he has always been allowed to do anything because he was and is a scouser from birth. At the Bernabéu, he will be required to take a different approach. Another level.

"He does not have the discipline of Carvajal, with whom he will have to compete for the position, but he is not Cafu or Alves either, some of the classic players in this position who have set the trend. Trent has become too small for the full-back position. Or at least that is what he thinks."

Now in my opinion, this suggests that the Spanish natives have concerns about Trent's ability to adapt to the system that Real Madrid plays, although this task must surely be the role of the team's coaching staff, rather than Trent himself having to mould to his new surroundings.

When Jurgen Klopp gave Trent his debut for the club back in 2016, it was clear what his strengths and weaknesses were and it was understood that the team would play at its optimal level if Trent was to utilise his attacking prowess.

Likewise, it seems fair to suggest that Arne Slot has taken this approach as well, although the Dutchman has looked for a more compact defensive unit, and in fairness to the 26-year-old, he has reportedly looked to improve his defensive awareness off his own back.

Of course, Dani Carvajal is a better defensive right-back than him, and it will take time for Trent to get to his level - if he ever will - but as great an opportunity it would be for the England international, this latest report might suggest that the team and player are a mismatch.

The prospect of Liverpool losing Trent is one that fans hardly bear thinking about, yet Real Madrid seemingly have a list of expectations for him to meet that are simply not realistic. No one is forcing the Spanish giants to take Trent and there may well be more suitable players for the team's needs that Madrid are ignoring.

If Liverpool are unsuccessful in tying Trent down to a contract extension, then Trent will be free to join whichever team he chooses, but on the basis of this current report, it seems as though a move to Real Madrid may be doomed from the start.

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