Klopp and Mourinho spar over Alexander‑Arnold’s future at Real Madrid
On Tuesday evening Jose Mourinho, the Portuguese manager of Real Madrid, trialled Trent Alexander‑Arnold in midfield, only to echo former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp’s long‑standing view that the English right‑back belongs at the back. Both men agreed that his strengths lie elsewhere, despite the high‑profile experiment.
Comments Sport Ben Crawford Senior Sports Writer Sep 09 2026 View 3 Images Image Getty reported that Alexander‑Arnold arrived at the Bernabeu last summer and has since battled injuries. He managed 35 appearances last term, contributing five assists, yet his game time has been limited.
Injuries and limited game time
Mourinho’s arrival brought a new signing, Netherlands international Denzel Dumfries, who joined from Inter Milan for £17million. In pre‑season the Portuguese boss tried pairing the new right‑back with Alexander‑Arnold, hoping to broaden options.
Midfield trial and its fallout
During Tuesday’s Champions League clash, Dumfries started in defence against his former club, while Alexander‑Arnold was pushed into midfield. Real Madrid claimed a 2‑1 victory, but the experiment proved relatively ineffective.
Alexander‑Arnold featured for 79 minutes before being replaced by Aurelien Tchouameni. His midfield role was partly forced by the unavailability of Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler and Bernardo Silva, all suspended under UEFA carry‑over rules.
Mourinho praised the player’s tactical understanding, saying, "He has played midfield with England and Liverpool… but he is not a midfielder. He has interpreted what he needed to really well, tactically." He added that both he and Federico Valverde performed well at that level.
Klopp, reflecting on a 2023 Premier League win over Fulham, recalled Alexander‑Arnold moving into a holding midfield role for the final 30 minutes, scoring the 88th‑minute winner in a 4‑3 triumph. Yet he later insisted he does not see the defender as a long‑term midfield solution.
Back in 2021, England manager Gareth Southgate tried Alexander‑Arnold centrally in a World Cup qualifier against Andorra, only to switch him back after 45 minutes. Klopp questioned that decision, asking why the world’s best right‑back would be used in midfield.
The convergence of Mourinho’s and Klopp’s assessments, despite their different clubs and leagues, underscores a growing consensus: Alexander‑Arnold’s future is likely to be cemented at right‑back, not in the centre of the pitch.