Former Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold has had a challenging start to the season with Real Madrid, which could continue with the El Clasico clash against Barcelona

Trent Alexander-Arnold could be left out of the starting lineup for Real Madrid once again this season, as the club's biggest game of the season, El Clasico, nears.

The former Liverpool star has been facing a battle for his place in the team ever since Jose Mourinho arrived back at the Bernabeu for his second stint as manager. At right-back, there has been competition for places, with summer signing Denzel Dumfries being preferred there so far this campaign, while Federico Valverde's recent conversion to the full-back role has only created further problems for the England international.

The early signs have suggested that time may be running out for Alexander-Arnold to truly cement a place in the team, with his dream of making a name for himself with Los Blancos becoming a greater challenge with each passing week.

To earn the trust of his manager, it may be that he needs to show his best ability in a big game when it really matters, and few games matter more than El Clasico, the match between bitter rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona.

While Alexander-Arnold will be hoping to make an impact in such a game, it may have to be from the bench, as Mourinho has been tipped to opt for other options instead.

AS reports that the manager is set to test out a tactical change instead, starting Valverde on the right wing to help add a defensive edge to his forward ranks, while that should hand an opportunity to Dumfries at right-back instead.

That would come as yet another blow to Alexander-Arnold, should that be the team that Mourinho picks, with the Liverpool academy graduate having to make the most of his limited minutes from the bench.

It leaves the defender with a task to make an impact on his team, with the challenge of doing that seemingly growing with each week that he is not in the starting lineup.

As a result, Alexander-Arnold has been heavily linked with an exit from Real Madrid, as the defender seemingly considers his future in the Spanish capital due to his lack of involvement.

Liverpool has been rumored to have interest in a potential return, considering the troubles at right-back over the past year, while a whole host of other clubs seem to be monitoring the situation.

It remains to be seen what follows for the 28-year-old and whether he can turn things around at Real Madrid, but there will seemingly be no shortage of interest in his services if he is available soon.

For now, however, all focus will be on doing everything possible to make him a more regular feature in the team before further considerations over his future.