Xabi Alonso heaped praise on Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal for his "competitive gene" and claimed that he will be a "fundamental" player this season. Those remarks could come as a huge setback for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has started just twice in four La Liga matches this season since joining from Liverpool in the summer window.

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso led tributes as Liverpool legend John Toshack made a rare public appearance in Spain during Real Sociedad's La Liga clash against Los Blancos on Saturday. Toshack spent eight years as a player at Anfield and later managed several clubs across Europe, including Real Sociedad and Madrid, where he even won a La Liga title in the 1989-90 season.

Xabi Alonso used his post-match press conference to mount a defence of Dean Huijsen, after the young centre back was sent off on the 30-minute mark in Real Madrid's 2-1 win over Real Sociedad. The ex-Bournemouth starlet was shown a straight red after pulling down Mikel Oyarzabal, with the referee judging the Sociedad striker had a clear route to goal.

Real Madrid are reportedly set to be without defender Antonio Rudiger for two-and-a-half months in a huge blow for the Spanish giants. Xabi Alonso’s side confirmed on Friday that the Germany international was set for a spell on the sidelines with a thigh injury suffered in training. Rudiger has been plagued by a number of fitness issues in what has been a difficult past year for the centre-back.

Real Madrid want Franco Mastantuono to miss out on the Under 20 World Cup with Argentina, with Xabi Alonso saying he will stay with the La Liga side.