Throughout Trent Alexander-Arnold's career, there have been calls to deploy him in central midfield and let his exquisite passing range do the talking.
Alexander-Arnold would frequently step into the middle from right-back in Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool system, and yet ultimately he was still a full-back who needed to be attentive to his defensive duties whilst supporting Mohamed Salah on the wing.
So with Real Madrid's central midfield options depleted ahead of their UEFA Champions League opener against Inter in light of suspensions for Eduardo Camavinga, Bernardo Silva and Arda Guler, Jose Mourinho opted to hand the 27-year-old an audition alongside Federico Valverde in the engine room.
Los Blancos ultimately won the match 2-1, and while Alexander-Arnold produced a measured performance for the 77 minutes in which he was on the pitch, Mourinho doesn't believe he's unearthed a new long-term starting position for the Liverpool academy graduate.
"He has played midfield with England and Liverpool... but he is not a midfielder," insisted Mourinho following the win,
"He has played very well. He has interpreted what he needed to really well, tactically.
"Both him and Valverde have worked very well at this level."
Alexander-Arnold found himself competing with Dani Carvajal for a starting berth at right-back last season and in this campaign, the Englishman has Denzel Dumfries for company.
As Dumfries started at right-back, Alexander-Arnold showcased his versatility.
No Real player attempted more crosses than Alexander-Arnold in Tuesday's UEFA Champions League fixture, but he also had the second-fewest touches (35) of all 22 players on the pitch, behind only Inter's striker Marcus Thuram (18).
While Valverde tallied three attempted tackles, three blocks and an interception, Alexander-Arnold's defensive contributions were a little more passive as he made just one attempted tackle and one block.
Mourinho admitted he was impressed by the manner in which Alexander-Arnold adapted to the challenge, but the Portuguese coach believes he lacks the stamina and positional awareness to be a long-term starting option in central midfield.
"He has lost some balls because it is not the same to play in this position compared to at right-back," Mourinho added.
"The intensity of physical work is quite difficult. He has a different engine. He has given 100%. He left the pitch with nothing left to give."
