Trent Alexander-Arnold endured a disappointing Champions League debut for Real Madrid, limping off minutes into the group stage clash with Marseille at the Santiago Bernabeu tonight.
The 26-year-old right-back pulled up after just two minutes and 40 seconds while playing a pass, immediately clutching his right hamstring before sitting on the turf and calling for medical help.
Medical staff members from Madrid quickly signalled that he could not continue, and Dani Carvajal replaced him in the fifth minute.
The timing could hardly be worse for Alexander-Arnold, who faces a race against time to feature in November’s marquee fixture against former club Liverpool.
Madrid are due to visit Anfield on November 4 in a game that promises to be charged with emotion.
The England international returns to Anfield for the first time since his controversial departure this summer. Alexander-Arnold joined Madrid in a £10 million deal in June.
New Los Blancos manager Xabi Alonso wanted the versatile right-back to bolster their options ahead of the revamped Club World Cup.
However, his start to life in Spain has been difficult, with Carvajal holding down the starting spot.
The Englishman has only started two of Madrid’s four La Liga fixtures.
His struggles at the club level recently cost him a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia.
The latest setback now raises further questions for Madrid, with the squad already stretched defensively.
Ferland Mendy and Antonio Rudiger are sidelined. The German could be out for three months as he continues his battles with injuries.
Dean Huijsen is suspended after picking up a red card over the weekend.
The one bright note for Alonso is the return of Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga, both of whom are fit again after injury.
