Real Madrid were so keen on signing Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool that they even spent an extra 10 million euros to make sure he would be available immediately for the lucrative Club World Cup. But for the first several months of his tenure at the Santiago Bernabeu, Trent has either been injured or mediocre, not quite showing that he is worth the wages.
Perhaps that was the reason why Thomas Tuchel snubbed him from a bloated 35 man short list for the England national team at the March international break, though the decision still felt unfair given Trent's pedigree and the fact that Tuchel picked some truly bizarre names in that squad.
So with Trent on the periphery, he knew he had to make a statement to Tuchel. And so far, he has, with three assists in three straight games, finally showing the creativity and end product that both made him a Liverpool icon as their version of Dani Alves and a Real Madrid signing this past summer.
Thomas Tuchel was watching Trent Alexander-Arnold
With Thomas Tuchel in attendance to watch, per The Athletic, his former employers Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarterfinals against the team that knocked him out at the last second in 2023/24, the England national team manager had to be impressed with what he saw.
Although Real Madrid lost, Trent had a great game on both ends of the pitch, in juxtaposition to his left back partner Alvaro Carreras, who had a torrid time dealing with Ballon d'Or sleeper Michael Olise on the right hand side of the Bayern attack.
Going up against his former Liverpool teammate Luis Diaz, who is one of the best left wingers in the world right now and even outplaying Real's Vinicius Junior this season, Trent Alexander-Arnold did an exceptional job of keeping the explosive Colombian international quiet. Somehow, Trent did not even surrender a single dribble completed, reminding folks that he is a better pure one on one defender than he is given credit for.
And obviously, he created a few dangerous chances for Kylian Mbappe and the forwards, including the goal. Trent, over the last couple of weeks, is showing a better assisting streak and a connection with Mbappe worth keeping an eye on. Now that he is healthy, Trent is finally truly showing Madridistas what he can do.
Plus, he is showing that off to Tuchel, too, at a time when he really needs to impress in order to make sure he gets into that competitive England national team squad for the 2026 World Cup.