-
News
Mourinho 'hurt' by Alexander-Arnold decision as Liverpool eye reunion with Real Madrid star
2 min read
News
Jose Mourinho has admitted the situation around Trent Alexander-Arnold ‘hurts’ him amid rumours that the Real Madrid star could be in line for a Premier League return in January.
Alexander-Arnold has made just three starts in La Liga this season and he has only played 53 minutes of football for Madrid in the past month, leading to speculation that the 28-year-old may look to leave during the January transfer window, with the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and even former club Liverpool linked with a move.
Mourinho acknowledged that he ‘didn’t like’ the fact that both Alexander-Arnold and Denzel Dumfries had to compete with Federico Valverde at right-back but the Real Madrid boss insisted that he didn’t anticipate either player asking to leave the club.
"First of all, it hurts me. I don't like to make players feel bad. I want them to feel good," Mourinho said. "Obviously, when you build a squad with two players per position as your foundation and then have a third player take the field, that's something I don't like.
"But there are things that are more important than these feelings. Things that are more important for the team at a given moment. And I decided that right now, the move was to change up the midfield and put Fede [Valverde] in there.”
He added: “I don’t think either of them is going to ask to leave. The demands of the season, with so many games and these ‘gifts,’ accumulated yellow cards, fatigue, the occasional injury...ultimately, everyone will play. I don’t think we’ll have that kind of situation.”
Trent Alexander-Arnold: Real Madrid star not looking to leave in January despite Premier League links
Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid in 2025 after his contract expired at Liverpool but the England international had yet to firmly impose himself on the Spanish giants, having also only played 21 league matches last season.
Despite leaving Liverpool in acrimonious circumstances, reports emerged this week that Liverpool may explore a loan deal to re-sign their former talisman in January, while many of their Premier League rivals are also understood to be monitoring the situation.
However, Alexander-Arnold is believed to be relaxed over his future and determined to fight for his place in Madrid instead of looking to leave, while the club are not seeking his exit either.
With Real Madrid having won 11 of their last 13 matches, it appears unlikely that Mourinho will look to switch things up anytime soon, suggesting that Alexander-Arnold may have to be patient before getting an eventual chance in the first team.
Related stories:
Man Utd, Emery and ‘shut the **** up’ - Why are Aston Villa suing Jamie Carragher?
Premier League’s 5 biggest young talents outside the Big 6 – and who should sign them
Transfer Rumours: Trent Alexander-Arnold offer coming as Arsenal hold Real Madrid talks
