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Trent Alexander-Arnold is reportedly set to play in a new role at after from Liverpool ahead of the Club World Cup. is said to have devised a brand-new tactical plan upon his arrival in the Spanish capital.

Alonso hopes to get the best out of forward Kylian Mbappe, who had an excellent first season in La Liga. Former boss Carlo Ancelotti initially struggled to fit the Frenchman into his team, but eventually landed on a system in which he flourished. A 4-4-2 formation was frequently used, and Alonso reportedly wants to adopt a similar shape. That could involve a change for if he continues to be deployed at right-back.

According to the , Alonso has been devising a 4-4-2 system that would see Mbappe partner Vinicius Junior in attack. When Madrid are in possession, it could resemble more of a 3-4-2-1 shape, with a central midfielder dropping into the back line and the full-backs providing width.

Having started at right-back and moved into central areas for much of the past few years - and even played as a traditional central midfielder - Alexander-Arnold may now find himself playing much wider. That may prompt the 26-year-old into providing more crosses, a theme of his earlier performances at Anfield.

Alexander-Arnold initially played as a more traditional full-back at Liverpool, providing width on the outside of right-winger Mohamed Salah. Former boss Jurgen Klopp even for using the player as a central midfielder in 2021.

But speaking towards the end of his Liverpool tenure in 2024, Klopp believed Alexander-Arnold's future could lie in midfield. The German told TNT Sports: "He was ready for it. It gives him much more freedom. Being an eight or six, he will play there eventually, it will happen, but is it a position he has to play all the time or is it better he can demand a game from the right-back position then drop into midfield and on the wing, this kind of freedom?

"And then in the end being in the centre in a lot of moments and being in charge of the game from there, together with Macca [Alexis Mac Allister] or whoever. There are so many benefits.

"As a team we were not ready in the past and Trent wasn't ready. We thought last year in a bad moment for us that's time to change something big and we did and it worked out. Trent enjoys it. I think he is quite happy with the position and how he can interpret it. I am very happy with it."

Alexander-Arnold could now play a key role under Alonso in Madrid.