ALEXANDER-ARNOLD DROPS CRYPTIC TWO-WORD STATEMENT TO LIVERPOOL
Trent Alexander-Arnold hints at a return from injury, posting "back soon" from training. The Real Madrid defender is racing to be fit for the El Clásico and Liverpool's Champions League tie.
In an admonition to his old team, Trent Alexander-Arnold hinted that he might be ready for a return with LFC. When the England player moved to Real Madrid this summer for £10 million, he waved farewell to his childhood team. His contract with the Reds was about to expire; therefore, he was originally expected to move to the Spanish capital on a free transfer. However, the La Liga powerhouses paid Liverpool to release the defender from the last month of his contract so he could participate in the Club World Cup.
Alexander-Arnold has made ten appearances for Real Madrid thus far, although his start in Spain has been a little uneventful. Before sustaining a hamstring injury in the early minutes of Real Madrid's Champions League victory against Marseille in mid-September, he was in and out of Xabi Alonso's starting lineup and only made two appearances in La Liga.
Alexander-Arnold was initially iffy for the Champions League match against Liverpool next month after missing a month of action.
The Reds and Real Madrid will rekindle their rivalry at Anfield when they play each other in early November.
After being spotted going back to light training during the October international break, the defender has now given his team a boost.
Alexander-Arnold uploaded three pictures on his Instagram account on Wednesday, including two of him using a ball to train on the grass and a third of him giving the camera the thumbs up from the plunge pool.
He said, "Back soon," with the emojis for "soon with rightwards arrow" and "hourglass with flowing sand" to go with the pictures.
Real Madrid's medical staff is optimistic that Alexander-Arnold will be able to recover from his injury in time to play against Barcelona in the season's opening El Clásico later this month, according to a report published by The Athletic on Monday.
After the international break, the Spanish powerhouses will play again on the road against Getafe on October 19 and then host Juventus in the Champions League on October 22.
On November 1, they will play Valencia, and on November 4, they will go to Anfield.
Alexander-Arnold's hamstring issue has kept him out of five games so far.
WHY DID REAL MADRID CHOOSE TO KEEP ENDRICK DESPITE MASSIVE PREMIER LEAGUE INTEREST?
After a stellar loan at Lyon, Endrick will return to Real Madrid this summer alongside Jacobo Ramón to form a new youth core.
Real Madrid has zero plans to let Endrick leave this summer. That’s what we’re hearing, even with Arsenal and Chelsea knocking on their door. We’ve also got some updates on Jacobo Ramon’s future.
Endrick is finishing his loan at Lyon on a high note. He’s put up seven goals and seven assists in just 18 games, and people are excited about what he could do long-term.
The 19-year-old forward from Brazil wanted more game time after struggling for chances with Xabi Alonso in charge at Madrid, so he pushed for a loan. Now, with Alonso gone, Endrick’s focused on forcing his way into Brazil’s World Cup squad, and honestly, the way he’s been playing lately, he’s making a strong argument.
Big clubs are paying attention. Arsenal and Chelsea have both checked in recently to see if Madrid would be open to a deal for him this summer.
But Madrid’s answer? No chance. They’ve told both clubs straight up: Endrick’s coming back to the Bernabéu, and he’s in their first-team plans for next season.
Endrick’s on board with that, too. He wants to stay and fight for a spot, a real chance to prove himself as a regular in Madrid’s lineup.
Florentino Perez backs him all the way; he still believes Endrick is the best young talent out there. The club isn’t about to change its mind.
Endrick’s not the only Madrid youth getting attention from the Premier League. Arsenal and Chelsea have also been checking in about Jacobo Ramon, the young centre-back playing for Como in Italy right now.
Ramon’s been playing alongside Nico Paz under Cesc Fabregas and has done well. Even though he moved from Madrid to Como last summer, Madrid made sure to keep buy-back and sell-on clauses, so it’s almost like he’s still a Madrid player on loan.
Now, the plan is for Ramon to return to Madrid this summer with Endrick and Paz. The club’s looking to keep its young core together and build the future around them.
Lots of clubs are watching Ramon; more than six want to sign him. But honestly, Madrid’s stance is pretty clear: just like with Endrick, they aren’t budging.
So for Arsenal, Chelsea, and anyone else hoping to swoop in, the message is simple. Madrid is keeping their best young talents. They’re not letting them go.
HOW HECTOR BELLERIN’S 94TH-MINUTE STUNNER PUSHED REAL MADRID TO THE TITLE BRINK
Real Madrid's title hopes faded after a 1-1 draw with Real Betis. Discover the impact of Bellerin’s goal and Mbappe’s injury.
Real Madrid’s La Liga dreams took a big hit Friday night when Héctor Bellerín scored a 94th-minute equaliser, earning Real Betis a 1-1 draw. With that late goal, Madrid now sit eight points behind Barcelona, and if Barça win their next match, they could pull even further away with just a handful of games left.
Madrid actually started strong in Seville. Vinícius Jr took advantage of a goalkeeping mistake and put them ahead early in the 17th minute. After that, Madrid had control for large stretches, but it just didn’t translate into goals. Kylian Mbappé had one ruled out for offside, and Jude Bellingham, along with the rest of Madrid’s attack, missed some big chances. It all came back to haunt them when, in the dying seconds, Bellerín capitalised on the chaos at the back and smashed in the equaliser.
People are talking about Madrid’s defence and not in a good way. They’ve failed to keep a clean sheet for ten straight league games. The last time the backline struggled this much in a single season was way back in 2003-04, when Carlos Queiroz was in charge. This run has cost Madrid dearly, with dropped points piling up right when the title race is heating up.
This result marks Madrid’s fifth league draw this season, another missed chance that opens the door for Hansi Flick’s relentless Barcelona to run away with the title. With their Champions League hopes already gone, Madrid are now staring at what could be just their fifth season without a trophy this century. About the only bright spot? Mbappé made his 100th appearance for the club, becoming just the tenth Frenchman to reach that milestone for Madrid. Still, even that was undercut; he limped off with a suspected hamstring injury about ten minutes from the end.
Honestly, the title now looks like a lost cause. If Barcelona beat Getafe, they will go 11 points clear. Madrid has two tough away fixtures next: Espanyol, then Barcelona in a do-or-die El Clásico that could finish off their title hopes for good. With their form stalling and Barça flying, Madrid now need a minor miracle and a huge Barcelona slip-up to avoid ending this season empty-handed.
Must Read
