'Guaranteed success!' - Real Madrid told to calm down over Trent Alexander-Arnold's disappointing debut with blame attributed to 'blazing hot sun'

Alexander-Arnold made his well-anticipated Real debut in their Club World Cup opener against Al-Hilal on Wednesday, as they drew 1-1 with the Saudi side. But former Premier League midfielder Jamie O'Hara defended Los Blancos' new signing, stating that he believes the right-back had problems with the playing conditions and will face no similar issues once he settles into his new club.

Wearing 'Trent' on his back, the 26-year-old struggled at times in his 65 minutes on the pitch, with fans on social media pointing towards a continuation of the defensive frailties the Scouser was at times criticised for at Liverpool. Left winger Salem Al-Dawsari caused problems for Alexander-Arnold during the Club World Cup opener in Miami, and a couple of flashes of creative brilliance by the Englishman were not enough to convince fans. Alexander-Arnold also received criticism from sections of the Spanish media following the match.

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Speaking with Grosvenor Sport, O'Hara said: “Trent Alexander-Arnold’s debut wasn’t great, but it was his first game. He’s played loads of football this season and he isn’t used to playing in that weather. The pitch looked like it was roasting hot. He did look a bit sluggish, but he hasn’t played at all under Arne Slot towards the end of the season so it’s natural that he’s going to be a bit rusty. He’s just joined the biggest club in the world and the expectation on him is already huge – it isn’t easy for a player to deliver ten out of ten performances every week!

“Trent is guaranteed to be a success at Real Madrid in my opinion. It’s his first game in blazing hot sun; it’s like a pre-season for him. I’ve played pre-season friendlies when it’s so hot and I couldn’t trap a bag of cement! I watched him and he was trying to track back, and he was struggling – but that’s going to happen because he hasn’t played.

“It’s very early days for him and shouldn’t be judged yet – I think he will be a top class signing for Real.”

Alexander-Arnold will hope to show Real Madrid fans more of what he can do when Los Blancos face off against Pachuca in Charlotte on Sunday. Given that Real paid €10m to release him a month early from his Liverpool contract with the Club World Cup in mind, the England international will know that he is expected to play a key role as Los Blancos look to go all out to win the competition.