Trent Alexander-Arnold's dream shattered after 4 minutes

Trent Alexander-Arnold suffered a serious injury in Real Madrid's win over Marseille.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, who was expected to make a new chapter in his career at Real Madrid, was forced off in tears after suffering a hamstring injury on his Champions League debut against Marseille in the early hours of September 17. Any prospect of an emotional homecoming at Anfield in November is now clouded.

Unfinished dream

As the first whistle blew at the Bernabeu, Madrid fans expected to see Alexander-Arnold’s legs unleashing passes that would open up defenses, as he had done hundreds of times for Liverpool. But after just a few touches, the 26-year-old defender suddenly collapsed, clutching his thigh. His face was filled with bewilderment, and the stands fell silent.

From the dream of rebirth at the most traditional club in Europe, Alexander-Arnold is facing the risk of losing everything: the trust of coach Xabi Alonso, the support of fans and the return date to Anfield which is circled in red on the match schedule.

In football, hamstring injuries are the most dreaded “ghost”. No one knows exactly how long it will take to recover. Some take a few weeks, while others are sidelined for months.

The case of Liam Delap at Chelsea or Ola Aina at Nottingham Forest is proof. With Alexander-Arnold, the risk is even greater, because he came to Real with the mindset of having to prove his worth, instead of being given a starting position by default.

The big match at Anfield on November 4, which was expected to be a “fateful reunion”, may now only be a memory. For Alexander-Arnold personally, missing this match would be like losing the opportunity to erase the emotional distance with Liverpool fans, who are still very troubled by his departure.

Dani Carvajal is still playing impressively at Real Madrid.

Joining Real Madrid means living in a suffocatingly competitive environment. Even legends do not have privileges. Since the beginning of the season, Alexander-Arnold has only officially played 2 out of 4 La Liga matches. Alonso still puts his trust in Dani Carvajal – the silent captain but plays the role of “soul” of the dressing room.

Alonso frankly stated: “Reputation does not help you play in the starting lineup, only performance does.” With this injury, Alexander-Arnold has lost even more of his advantage. While he is recovering from the injury, Carvajal has still played regularly and maintained his position. Even if Real find stability, the chance for the English player to return to the starting lineup will be even more fragile.

As soon as Alexander-Arnold left the field, social media exploded. Some Liverpool fans were harsh in claiming that he was “dodging” his return to Anfield. But most expressed sympathy, because the image of Trent limping off the field was too familiar to Premier League fans. Sadness mixed with regret, when a story that had promised so much drama was broken right at the beginning.

Many commentators from England and Spain believe that this is not just a simple injury, but also a key to shaping the future of Alexander-Arnold's career. A small slip on the Bernabeu turf can have big consequences: losing a place at Real, being overshadowed in England's plans and missing the opportunity to continue writing a legacy at Anfield.

What future for Alexander-Arnold?

Xabi Alonso and the Real Madrid board are no doubt anxiously awaiting the results of the diagnosis. But the anxiety is not limited to Madrid. In England, coach Thomas Tuchel is also watching, as Alexander-Arnold was left out of the latest squad. With the 2026 World Cup approaching, any long-term injury could see the right-back side sidelined.

Trent Alexander-Arnold's start at Real Madrid has not been smooth.

Rarely has Alexander-Arnold been in such a precarious position in his career. At Liverpool, he was the “soul” of the system. At Real, he was just a part of a giant machine where each player’s place was tested every day. With the national team, he is no longer the default choice. Now, everything revolves around one question: how long will it take to recover?

Football is cruel. Minutes, a season, even a career can change direction. Trent Alexander-Arnold is at that crossroads. If he returns, he still has the chance to prove himself in a Real shirt and write a new chapter at Anfield. But if his injury persists, the Bernabeu dream could end before it even begins.

Alexander-Arnold's future is now like a ball on the penalty spot: everyone holds their breath waiting for the result, and no one is sure where the kick will go.

Source: https://znews.vn/giac-mo-cua-trent-alexander-arnold-vo-vun-sau-4-phut-post1585910.html