Trent Alexander-Arnold blasted as 'badly exposed' on Real Madrid debut

Real Madrid were held to a surprising 1-1 draw in the first game of the Xabi Alonso era as Trent Alexander-Arnold made his debut for the club.

The Spanish side were expected to win comfortably but laboured to a draw as Federico Valverde missed a stoppage-time penalty to deny them the three points in their Club World Cup opener.

There has been plenty of speculation to what system Alonso will deploy with Real, whether he'll stick to the 3-4-2-1 he had so much success with at Bayer Leverkusen, or revert to a more traditional 4-3-3 which he'd also used on occasion in Germany.

Alonso went with the latter, as Dean Huijsen made his debut alongside Alexander-Arnold in defence with Gonzalo Garcia getting the nod up front in the absence of an ill Kylian Mbappe.

The formation means more is expected defensively of Alexander-Arnold than the 3-4-2-1 in which he'd almost be deployed as a winger, and after some sloppiness in possession, the former Liverpool man would have been relieved to see Renan Lodi's strike ruled out for offside.

Sport gave Alexander-Arnold a five out of 10, describing him as 'misplaced - he never looked comfortable or created any advantage. It wasn't the best debut for the Englishman, who also failed to contribute offensively.

Football Espana awarded the full-back the same five out of 10, describing his debut as 'underwhelming'.

It wasn't just the Spanish media underwhelmed by Alexander-Arnold either; Goal also awarded the England man a five out of 10, saying: "Not the best debut. Some of his passing was loose, and he was badly exposed defensively."

Speaking on CBS Sports, Chris Wittyngham said: "I don't think he impacted the game very much. He has to figure out what his role is in that team. I don't think he played very well, I actually think Al-Hilal tried to attack down his side."

Despite the middling start to life in Spain - which actually started in a sweltering Hard Rock Stadium in Miami - Alexander-Arnold remains upbeat.

Speaking after the game, Alexander-Arnold said: "It's a very proud moment for me. It's a moment that most, if not all players, dream of at some point in their life.

"But it was very challenging to play in that heat and very different from England.

"It's the first time I've moved clubs. I didn't know what to expect and it's a big change but I'm loving every single minute of it. In my mind and in my heart, I know that I made the right decision for me."

Liam Williams

• Real Madrid CF
• Trent Alexander-Arnold
• Club World Cup
• European Football
• La Liga
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