Trent Alexander-Arnold is already making an impression at Real Madrid, with one teammate describing him as ‘horrible’ and ‘a nightmare’ in training.
The brand new arrival from Liverpool has been thrown straight into motion on the Club World Cup, where Real Madrid are into the quarter-finals.
After topping their group, the Spanish giants faced Juventus in a blockbuster last 16 clash on Tuesday, although the match won’t go down as a classic.
It was a fairly tame affair in Florida, with each teams scuffling with the warmth, but Real Madrid coming out on top with a 1-0 win which they deserved.
21-year-old Gonzalo Garcia is emerging as a star of the tournament as he scored his third goal within the States, while Alexander-Arnold chalked up his first assist for the club.
The England international put in an ideal cross from the suitable which Garcia headed home and his teammate was removed from surprised to see the 26-year-old delivering the products.
Goalkeeper Thibault Courtois says he has already seen enough of Alexander-Arnold to think he’s the very best at set-pieces and crossing that he has witnessed.
‘I feel he could have already had just a few in these 4 games. His pre-assist against Pachuca was also really good,’ Courtois told DAZN of the full-back’s first Real assist.
‘In training he’s horrible, his kicking is amazing. His free-kicks, his corner kicks are really on one other level.
‘I don’t think I saw some guy along with his quality of kicking and crossing in order a goalkeeper sometimes it’s a nightmare. However it keeps you on edge and keeps you working hard, trying to save lots of them, to make him higher and myself higher.’
Speaking after the win that sets up a quarter-final clash with either Borussia Dortmund or Monterrey, Alonso said of his fellow former Liverpool star: ‘Trent? I consider in him. He still needs time, but he’s an incredible player.’
He added: ‘Crossing is his trademark; he’s done 500 of those. On the suitable, we sometimes need an additional foot. One-on-one dribbling isn’t his thing.
‘He involves Madrid to compete; he’s barely trained. Every part takes time.
‘Every part takes time, but I’m confident we’ll have a reliable full-back. First, we now have to enhance as a team.’
The Englishman celebrated on Instagram, posting pictures of him putting within the cross after which celebrating with Garcia.
He captioned the pictures: ‘See you within the Quarters! Vamosss.’
The goal-scorer got involved, thanking his teammate by replying: ‘What a ball 🫡.’
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