Trent Alexander-Arnold treatment behind the scenes emerges as star linked with Real Madrid exit

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Trent Alexander-Arnold has endured a challenging first few months at Real Madrid , sparking speculation he could make a swift return to the Premier League . Yet, reports of a falling-out between the defender and Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa have been played down.

Former Liverpool defender Alexander-Arnold relocated to Spain during the summer after spending his whole career at Anfield. The England international has had a tough time with injuries, though, playing just eight times in La Liga and missing the last two months.

The circumstances have raised worries about whether the 34-cap England international will play a part at the World Cup . Separately, questions surrounding his relationship with Arbeloa - who took over from Xabi Alonso as manage r in January - fuelled doubt over his club future.

Recent reports from Spain suggest those worries are unfounded , though, with an apparent degree of mutual understanding between player and manager. Arbeloa, like Alexander-Arnold, operated at right-back for Liverpool before transferring to the Bernabeu - though he didn't have the same boyhood connection to the Reds.

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According to Spanish outlet AS , there's no substance to reports that Arbeloa has taken against Alexander-Arnold or that he was seeking to move the defender on. Instead, the player is said to have been given reassurances from the club from the moment he sustained his latest injury blow against Athletic Club in early December, with the new boss equally supportive in recent weeks.

Alexander-Arnold hasn't featured since that victory in Bilbao and has observed from a distance as Alonso, the boss who gave him his La Liga debut, was replaced by Arbeloa. The new manager has reportedly taking care of the player during his recovery and could hand him his first minutes of 2026 this weekend.

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Fede Valverde filled in at right-back in Madrid's last match, a win over Rayo Vallecano. Specialist right-back Dani Carvajal was on the bench after recently bouncing back from an injury of his own but Alexander-Arnold could get the nod ahead of the Spaniard if team-mate Valverde reverts to his customary midfield position on Sunday.

Real Madrid have tasted victory in their last six league matches, though it hasn't been the same in other competitions, while their upcoming La Liga fixture is an away game against a Valencia side they thrashed 4-0 in November. Their opponents, who ended up 12th last season, enter the match just a point shy of the drop zone.

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While Alexander-Arnold was back training with his colleagues in preparation for the match, Arbeloa will be without some key players for the showdown at the Mestalla. Vinicius Junior is serving a suspension, while Jude Bellingham and Eder Militao are among those sidelined through injury.

England midfielder Bellingham exited the pitch in tears after sustaining a hamstring injury against Rayo in their previous match. The injury is likely to rule him out of his club's Champions League play-off against Benfica but he could recover in time to represent his nation during the March international break.

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