Trent Alexander-Arnold settling in as Real Madrid target Club World Cup glory

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Real Madrids Gonzalo Garcia celebrates scoring with Trent Alexander-Arnold in the 1-0 win over Juventus.

PHOTO: REUTERS

EAST RUTHERFORD – Real Madrid paid extra to bring defender Trent Alexander-Arnold in early from Liverpool to compete in the Club World Cup, and it is paying off as they prepare to face Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-finals on July 5.

The England international created the only goal of the game for Gonzalo Garcia as Xabi Alonso’s side beat Italian giants Juventus 1-0 in the last 16.

With Alonso moving to a back three as soon as he had the personnel available, Alexander-Arnold has benefitted from playing as a right wing-back in their last two matches.

That is where he is set to continue against German outfit Dortmund in New Jersey at the MetLife Stadium.

Alexander-Arnold’s floated cross for Gonzalo against Juventus was the precise kind of attacking output that led Real to bring him in.

“He could have had many more assists already,” said Los Blancos goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

“In training, he is horrible to play against. His corner kicks are another level. I don’t think I have seen a guy like this with such quality. As a goalkeeper it is a nightmare, but it will help make me better.”

Real skipper Dani Carvajal is back from a long-term injury but may end up being used more as a centre-back than in the wing-back position now that Alexander-Arnold has arrived.

Los Blancos paid as much as €10 million, according to reports, to sign the 26-year-old a month before his Liverpool deal expired, but have