Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold Dropped for Carabao Cup Semi-Final Amid Real Madrid Speculation
Trent Alexander-Arnold has been excluded from Liverpool’s starting XI for the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Tottenham. The England right-back will make way for 21-year-old Conor Bradley after delivering a disappointing performance in the 2-2 draw against Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday.
Alexander-Arnold’s struggles come in the wake of a rejected £20 million bid from Real Madrid, who hoped to secure the defender before his contract expires in the summer. Despite interest from the LaLiga giants, Liverpool remain adamant about retaining their star until at least the end of the season.
Unlike Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, who also face uncertain contract situations, have been praised for their recent displays and will start in tonight’s clash. Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who replaced Jurgen Klopp at the end of last season, aims to secure his first silverware as the Reds’ boss. His side currently leads the Premier League and dominates their Champions League group.
Slot’s decision to bench Alexander-Arnold may be as much about protecting him from criticism as addressing his recent dip in form. Against Manchester United, the right-back made a costly error leading to Lisandro Martinez’s goal and was later substituted after failing to win any duels during the match.
The poor showing led to intense scrutiny, with fans voicing their frustrations both online and at Anfield. Roy Keane criticized Alexander-Arnold’s defending as “schoolboy,” while Jamie Carragher speculated that Real Madrid’s bid may have been encouraged by the player’s camp.
Despite these challenges, Alexander-Arnold has had a relatively strong season, recording five assists and regaining a spot in the England squad. However, if the right-back continues to falter while speculation about his future mounts, his legacy at Liverpool could be at risk.
