Real Madrid Injury Crisis Could Push Trent Alexander-Arnold Into Midfield Role

Trent Alexander-Arnold could be handed a surprise role change by Jose Mourinho, with Real Madrid facing a selection crisis ahead of their Champions League opener against Inter Milan, according to reports.

The former Liverpool full-back has struggled for game time this season, starting just one of Real Madrid's first three La Liga matches as he competes with Denzel Dumfries for the right-back spot. It's a tough start for the England international, who is trying to bounce back from an injury-hit and inconsistent campaign last season that saw him lose form after his move from Liverpool.

Now, though, a wave of absences in midfield could open a different route into the team for Alexander-Arnold. Real Madrid host Inter Milan in their opening Champions League group match, but Mourinho's squad has been hit hard by a mix of suspensions and injuries heading into the game.

Summer signing Bernardo Silva is unavailable after carrying over a suspension from a red card picked up playing for Manchester City against Real Madrid in last season's competition. Arda Guler and Eduardo Camavinga are also suspended, having both been sent off in the same fixture. On top of that, Aurelien Tchouameni and Thiago Pitarch are out through injury, leaving Federico Valverde as Real Madrid's only fit, recognized midfielder.

That shortage could force Mourinho to get creative, and Alexander-Arnold is among the options being considered for a switch into midfield, a position he has played on occasion for both club and country. Such a move could also have knock-on effects further forward, with Jude Bellingham potentially dropping into a deeper role and prompting changes to the team's usual number ten spot.

Defender Dean Huijsen has also been mentioned as a possible option to fill the midfield gap, and Mourinho is expected to weigh up his choices in the day before the match.

Should Alexander-Arnold end up playing centrally, he would come face to face with a familiar figure in Curtis Jones, his former Liverpool academy teammate who now plays for Inter Milan. It remains to be seen whether Mourinho makes the switch, but it could be the chance Alexander-Arnold has been waiting for to finally make his mark at the Bernabeu.