Ian Wright and Gary Neville agree on why Trent Alexander-Arnold will struggle at Real Madrid

Trent Alexander-Arnold is reportedly set to leave Liverpool for Real Madrid this summer, but Gary Neville and Ian Wright believe the right-back could struggle in Spain

Gary Neville and Ian Wright have suggested that Trent Alexander-Arnold could actually struggle to secure regular minutes at Real Madrid. The Liverpool right-back looks to be edging closer to securing a move to the Spanish heavyweights when his contract expires this summer.

Alexander-Arnold, 26, has been instrumental in Liverpool's recent success, helping his childhood club win numerous trophies, including the Premier League and Champions League. Despite being on track to clinch his second league title, the uncertainty surrounding his contract has cast a shadow over Alexander-Arnold, who was the target of a bid from Real Madrid in January.

While a switch to Madrid might be tempting for the defender, both Neville and Wright believe he will face stiff competition for a starting spot, even if he becomes the next Galactico.

"I said that I thought he [ Trent Alexander-Arnold ] had to get more serious about his defending – I've said that constantly – or else it will cause him problems," Neville shared on the Stick to Football podcast. "I think it will cause him a problem at Real Madrid because they have Federico Valverde, who is playing right-back currently, and Dani Carvajal when he's back – he's going to have some serious competition. They are brilliant players, and he's going to find it tough there."

When asked how Alexander-Arnold compares to Real Madrid's current right-backs, Neville argued: "I think Carvajal, from a balance of going forward and back – the problem is that he's 32 and has had a bad injury – but for me, Carvajal is a better full-back than Trent because of what he gives to the team. It's unbelievable what Valverde is doing for them at the moment, so he's going to have competition when he goes."

Neville believes that a much-debated issue could hamper Alexander-Arnold's chances of winning over Real boss Carlo Ancelotti. "Coming back to Trent, I said he needs to get more serious about his defending, and that was proven by the fact he couldn't get in the England team for many years," Neville said. "And he gets subbed for Liverpool a lot. I've never known a right-back get subbed so many times in important periods of matches."

Alexander-Arnold has previously admitted his desire to win the Ballon d'Or, and being a success at Real Madrid might help him become the first full-back to win the accolade. Nonetheless, Arsenal icon Ian Wright agrees with Neville, believing that despite his achievements at Liverpool, the star defender will find it challenging to play consistently for Los Blancos.

"What we'll learn very quickly with Trent at Real Madrid when he gets there is that he will realise the levels," Wright insisted. "If the defending is something that [needs addressing] – we all know it's one of his weakest points – he won't play there.

"If you look at Valverde and his passing range, Carvajal and his defending, you don't need to have a player who is there who is doing great stuff going forward. If he goes there with just his offensive power, are they going to play him right-back for him to come inside like he does?

"If it doesn't work out for him in respect of his offensive style, there's so many great players there – that's what he's got to contend with."

Despite the pair identifying these challenges, Neville understands why Alexander-Arnold might want a new adventure. Comparing it to David Beckham's high-profile move from Manchester United to Real Madrid, Neville acknowledged that joining the Spanish giants would open up new avenues for Alexander-Arnold.

"[Alexander-Arnold] does have his challenges with the way he plays, but it's right that Liverpool fans can feel let down about him leaving," Neville said. “As a fan, he’s a local kid and fans have a right to feel that way."

Reflecting on Beckham's journey after leaving Old Trafford, Neville continued: "I also think about it with my David Beckham cap on, thinking about what career he had when he went to Real Madrid and then Milan, and he had the experiences that have led him to what he's done since.

"He wouldn't have had that if he stayed at United, so part of me thinks that since I've stopped playing football, I think differently about it. The experience of going to Real Madrid and playing there is incredible for him."