It wasn't supposed to be this way. Trent Alexander-Arnold left Liverpool for Real Madrid last summer, a Premier League champion and an legend at just 26.

However, his time at Madridhas been rocked with injury, loss of form and even the threat of a premature summer exit has loomed large. Reportedly, the defender was dropped from the starting XI for disciplinary reasons after turning up late for a training session.

It's not been all doom and gloom for the European Cup winner. Alexander-Arnold has appeared in 25 fixtures for Los Blancos this season and earned praise for his display in the recent Champions League tie with Manchester City.

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However, there's little doubt that the full-back would've hoped for a smoother transition to life in the Spanish capital. Mirror Football takes a closer look at the trials and tribulations of Alexander-Arnold.

Broken Real Madrid rule

The 27-year-old has been in the starting XI for all of Madrid's last four Champions League matches and, prior to last week's victory over Elche, had featured in five successive La Liga games.

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However, it was Dani Carvajal who got the nod at right-back on Sunday, with Alexander-Arnold reportedly benched after arriving late for a training session.

According to Spanish outlet Marca, Alexander-Arnold "arrived late to one of the final training sessions of the week", with Arbeloa sending a "clear message with a decision focused on discipline and dressing room order."

Marca further reported that Arbeloa "respected the team's code of conduct and made the necessary decision to maintain order within the group."

Anfield return

It's likely that Alexander-Arnold perhaps never anticipated returning to his childhood club quite so swiftly. Liverpool welcomed Madrid to Anfield in the Champions League in November, mere months after his departure, and the reception was perhaps entirely predictable.

The right-back started the evening on the bench for Los Blancos. Shortly after Liverpool had established a 1-0 advantage, the crowd was in full voice and they made themselves heard even more emphatically when Alexander-Arnold came on with 10 minutes to go.

The former Anfield favourite was predominantly met with jeers as he entered the field. Supporters then deliberately chanted about club icon Steven Gerrard and Alexander-Arnold's successor at right-back, Conor Bradley, in a pointed message to their ex-hero.

That could be a taste of what's to come for Alexander-Arnold should Liverpool and Madrid make it past their Champions League quarter-final ties, with a clash between the two set for the semi-final.

Car ban

Alexander-Arnold's life in Madrid began with a bump as he was effectively banned from driving his £130,000 Range Rover to Madrid’s training ground. One of Alexander-Arnold’s preferred vehicles to drive was a Range Rover P530.

However, due to Los Blancos’ sponsorship agreement with BMW, players are prevented the players from driving any other car brand to training, according to Spanish outlet El Motor.

Each year, the German car manufacturer provides the Madrid squad, as well as the women’s team and basketball team, with cars to use throughout the season.

Steven Gerrard's disappointment

Liverpool icon Gerrard has expressed surprise at Alexander-Arnold's omission from England's squad for the upcoming international break. The Madrid star was overlooked in Thomas Tuchel's 35-man selection for the friendly matches against Uruguay and Japan.

Tino Livramento and Djed Spence were chosen as England's right-backs, with Reece James sidelined due to injury. Alexander-Arnold hasn't represented his country since the 1-0 victory over Andorra in June.

"Listen, we've got some good options at right-back," Gerrard said. "Reece James is world class, I really like Livramento, I know he's had a couple of injuries but he can play both sides. I understand the selection, but I just think, 'Is Trent among the best 35 players in this country?' Of course he is.

"There's going to be certain games where England have to open the door, they might be against a low block where it's really frustrating and Trent is one of these players who can come off the bench and just completely change the game with one pass, he's that level of a player.

"So I am surprised and I'm disappointed for him. But there's a lot of other situations that you've got to take into consideration. How much has he played? Is he physically at his best? Is there stuff going on off the pitch?"

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