Cold and distant – Real Madrid dressing room begins to question Xabi Alonso after Anfield episode | OneFootball

According to a new report from El Chiringuito TV, there is growing unease inside the Real Madrid dressing room regarding how manager Xabi Alonso has handled certain recent situations. 

Some players reportedly feel disconnected from the Spanish coach, believing that his approach has been “cold and distant” and lacking in understanding of their emotions.

The issue appears to have deepened following Real Madrid’s recent visit to Anfield, where Alonso’s decision to bring on Trent Alexander-Arnold raised eyebrows among his squad. 

The outlet mentions that many within the dressing room are said to be puzzled as to why the coach would expose the English defender to such a hostile environment, especially given the sensitivity surrounding his return to face former club Liverpool.

What’s the story?

As one report described it, several players were left “in disbelief” at Alonso’s choice, questioning whether the manager truly grasped what the occasion meant for Alexander-Arnold. 

It was no ordinary match, as it was a deeply emotional return to a stadium that once celebrated him as one of their own, and yet greeted him this time with anger and resentment.

Real Madrid players are unhappy with Xabi Alonso. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

For Liverpool supporters, the 27-year-old’s summer transfer to Real Madrid was seen as a betrayal. 

Raised in the heart of the Merseyside club, Alexander-Arnold had been viewed as the embodiment of the ‘Scouser’ identity, and his decision to join Los Blancos was unforgivable in the eyes of many fans. 

Real Madrid’s visits there have often produced unforgettable European nights, but this particular encounter will be remembered not for its football, but for the emotional storm that surrounded it.

According to Josep Pedrerol, it is said that Alonso’s message inside the dressing room might not be getting through because of how the players feel about him.

For now, the situation leaves parts of the dressing room questioning Alonso’s man-management style. 

While no open conflict has been reported, the sense of unease adds a layer of complexity to his early tenure in charge of the Spanish giants.