'I’ve seen Trent Alexander-Arnold criticism - ex-Liverpool man must remember one thing'

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La Liga star Tyrhys Dolan has taken issue with the criticism Trent Alexander-Arnold has received since joining Real Madrid from Liverpool . Manchester-born Dolan , who plays as a winger for Spanish side Espanyol , reminded the under pressure Real Madrid star to block out the external noise, given he has already achieved his "dream" of playing for the biggest club in the world .

Speaking exclusively to Mirror Football , Dolan said when asked if he felt the criticism of Alexander-Arnold in the media is warranted: "I don't really like to talk on other players and the criticism they're getting. I just think if people haven't been in their shoes, they can only comment so much on it, like you don't know.

"It's alright from an outsider's perspective to say, 'Oh, well he's not doing this'. I just feel you need to get in someone's shoes to actually understand. It comes with a lot of pressure and it's not easy.

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"He's playing for the biggest team in the world. It's an honour. It's any kid's dream to do what he's doing right now and obviously he's got his criticism but he's achieved something that people would only ever dream of. I wish him all the best."

Alexander-Arnold came under immediate pressure at the end of last season when he announced he would be leaving boyhood club Liverpool to sign for Los Blancos on a free transfer. While the Spanish giants eventually had to pay a fee to secure his services in time for the Club World Cup, the right-back was slammed in the media by the likes of Jamie Carragher for his decision and booed by his own fans at Anfield.

The England international did not enjoy the same fast start to life in the Spanish capital that his close friend Jude Bellingham enjoyed two years prior. He initially had to share minutes with captain Dani Carvajal at right-back and failed to have the same impact at the Bernabeu that he’d managed for years at Anfield.

The defensive frailties in his game were almost immediately highlighted, with Spanish outlet Marca calling his display in November’s 1-1 draw with Girona "clueless" and describing his defending as "shocking". Catalan publication Sport was even harsher, recently giving him a 3/10 match rating and calling him a "liability" at the back.

There have even been suggestions that the defender’s flaws were hidden by former Reds manager Jurgen Klopp .

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Alexander-Arnold’s adaptation to Spanish football and the pressures of representing Real Madrid have not been helped by his hamstring injury, which saw him six weeks of football between late September and November. The 27-year-old, who won every trophy possible with Liverpool prior to his move, suffered another muscle tear which ruled him out of action from December to early February.

He has only recently started playing the full length of matches again and impressed in this week’s 3-0 win over Manchester City . Alexander-Arnold is yet to score a goal in 19 appearances this season, though he has managed two assists in just over 1,000 minutes of football.

Dolan, meanwhile, has had a smoother transition to life in La Liga since his own move from England to Spain last summer. The 24-year-old left Blackburn Rovers as a free agent and is currently aiming to qualify for a European place with Espanyol.