How Real Madrid will line up with Trent Alexander-Arnold

Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold is reportedly on the verge of joining Real Madrid on a free transfer this summer.

The 26-year-old is set to become a free agent in July and, after months of speculation, he is now close to officially becoming a Los Blancos player, as per multiple reports.

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Alexander-Arnold will leave Liverpool after a 21-year association with the club and he is expected to usurp Dani Carvajal as Real Madrid’s preferred right-back upon his arrival at the Santiago Bernabeu later this year.

The England international will become the first right-back to join Real Madrid since Alvaro Odriozola in 2018, while Liverpool are set to pursue a deal for Bayer Leverkusen’s Jeremie Frimpong in their search to land a replacement.

Below, FootballTransfers runs through how Real Madrid are likely to line up with Alexander-Arnold next season.

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How Real Madrid will line up with Trent Alexander-Arnold

Thibaut Courtois remains one of the world’s best goalkeepers and despite Andriy Lunin’s impressive form last season, the Belgian is expected to keep his place in between the sticks at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The aforementioned Carvajal and Lucas Vazquez are likely to compete with Alexander-Arnold for the right-back berth, but the Englishman won’t leave Liverpool to play a rotation role so he will immediately become a regular starter in the Spanish capital.

Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao will continue their immense partnership if the latter is able to stay fully fit, although Raul Asencio will be a strong contender to start next season, while Dean Huijsen may be added into the mix if Real Madrid are able to agree a deal for the Bournemouth star.

Ferland Mendy will complete the backline, with Fran Garcia continuing his role as an able deputy.

Meanwhile, the availability of Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde means that Luka Modric, Dani Ceballos and Eduardo Camavinga will likely find themselves on the bench in Los Blancos’ dream starting XI.

Jude Bellingham is almost guaranteed to start ahead of Brahim Diaz and Arda Guler, while Rodrygo and Vinicius Junior will provide immense creativity down the flanks.

Finally, Kylian Mbappe will lead the line, although Endrick may be rewarded with more significant game time next year.

Real Madrid’s starting XI with Trent Alexander-Arnold

GK: Thibaut Courtois

RB: Trent Alexander-Arnold

CB: Eder Militao

CB: Antonio Rudiger

LB: Ferland Mendy

CM: Aurelien Tchouameni

CM: Federico Valverde

RW: Rodrygo

CAM: Jude Bellingham

LW: Vinicius Jr

ST: Kylian Mbappe