Trent Alexander-Arnold's talent is undeniable, but this is why huge concerns remain

A touch of class and a natural finisher – so often the difference between success and failure.

Trent Alexander-Arnold provided the former and Gonzalo Garcia again proved he is the latter to send Real Madrid into the FIFA Club World Cup quarter-finals.

With Tuesday’s Round of 16 clash against Juventus a tight, cagey affair, it needed something special to break the deadlock.

Real Madrid 1-0 Juventus full match highlights

It came in the 54th minute and there was much to admire in the way Garcia bulleted a header, his third goal of the tournament, past Juve’s impressive goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio.

That kind of finishing prowess is the difference at this level. One-nil. Game over.

But do not underestimate the quality of Alexander-Arnold’s cross.

Getty Images

The 26-year-old England international’s teasing ball into the danger zone was the kind of delivery he produced countless times for Liverpool.

Whether it be passing long or short, crossing deep or picking out a man, as he did with Garcia, Alexander-Arnold is technically one of the most gifted footballers on the planet. That cannot be denied.

The significance of his assist for Garcia’s winner against Juventus?

It was his first assist in a Real Madrid jersey.

Moreover, it promises to be the first of many.

Alexander-Arnold has looked at home in Xabi Alonso’s side since making a controversial defection from Anfield to Madrid.

• Read next |  Relive Real Madrid's 1-0 win over Juventus

He has started all four of their Club World Cup games and shown why Los Blancos paid Liverpool £8.4million to release him early and enable him to play in the tournament.

Madrid could have got Alexander-Arnold for free at the end of June, but the Club World Cup has provided the ideal platform for him to settle in Alonso’s squad.

He is growing into the famous white jersey on the right-hand side of what is effectively a five-man midfield with a quarter-final clash against Borussia Dortmund now looming.

Alexander-Arnold does not need to be asked to venture forward and support the attack, as he has shown during the Club World Cup.

It is a natural instinct.

He produced eight crosses against Juventus – more than any other Madrid player.

Yet defensive concerns remain. Huge defensive concerns.

Alonso’s post-match assessment of Alexander-Arnold’s performance subtlety  hinted at those flaws.

Juventus’ Kenan Yildiz clever positioning and dribbling skills caused the Madrid new-boy plenty of problems and Alsono’s words were telling.

It would be harsh to say Yildiz outflanked Alexander-Arnold – but it wouldn’t be too far wide of the mark.

“We were caught out by Yildiz’s position in the middle,” said Alonso post-match.

“Everything takes time, but I have faith in him [Alexander-Arnold]. He’s a reliable full-back and so is [Dani] Carvajal.

“We will improve from the collective side to the individual and not the other way around.”

 

 

That could be seen as a veiled warning to Alexander-Arnold, whose defensive shortcomings were at times exposed during his Liverpool career.

So while he is up and running in terms of assists, Alonso’s public utterances about his display – and no doubt words in private – will give Alexander-Arnold plenty to think about.

Certainly the contrasting features of his game were a major source of debate amongst the DAZN pundits.

“It was a fantastic delivery from Trent,” former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel said of his matchwinning assist for Garcia.

“We know he can do that – even though there are still questions defensively. It’s good to see him settle. We knew it would take him time.”

Former Holland midfielder Edgar Davids enthused: “I think he is a good fit for Real Madrid and he will get better.

“If you want to have attacking full-backs, he is one of the key figures in that position in the world.

“If you want that and you have the speed in front of you, it is ideal.”

 

The Spanish media praised and criticised Alexander-Arnold in equal measure for his performance at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

The hugely influential Marca newspaper wrote: “Trent Alexander-Arnold didn't have a good game, and in his first matches with Real Madrid, he's raising doubts.

“He was weak in defence, inaccurate in attack, and almost always poorly positioned... If Carvajal returns to his best form, the Englishman will struggle to stay in the starting eleven.

“What can't be denied about Trent is that he has a glove on his foot. Gonzalo's goal came from his boots, with a perfect cross to the striker.

“The Premier League's top assist provider for the last five seasons, he sets them up like no one else.”

With this kind of scrutiny, there will certainly be no hiding place for Alexander-Arnold as he looks to prove his detractors wrong.

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