Trent Alexander-Arnold has been punished for breaking Real Madrid's strict 'code of conduct', reports claim.
After seeing off Manchester City in the Champions League, Real beat city rivals 3-2 Atletico in Sunday's derby - with Vinicius Jr scoring twice and Federico Valverde also on target before being sent off as Los Blancos came from a goal down to win.
Despite an impressive run of form, Alexander-Arnold was left out of the starting XI - with Dani Caraval brought in at right-back from the fixture.
The former Liverpool star had locked down the position in recent weeks, starting in the Champions League and La Liga.
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But he was displaced at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday and Spanish outlet MARCA reported that it was not for tactical or selection reasons.
They claim that Alexander-Arnold, who was left out of Thomas Tuchel's 35-man England squad, "arrived late to one of the final training sessions of the week".
The paper added that manager Alvaro Arbeloa made the call as a way to send a "clear message with a decision focused on discipline and dressing room order" and "respected the team's code of conduct and made the necessary decision to maintain order within the group."
Alexander-Arnold did come off the bench to replace Carvajal in the 64th minute and picked up an assist for Vinicius' second strike.
Arbeloa was asked about the 27-year-old being relegated to the bench after the game but refused to confirm whether the move was made for disciplinary reasons.
"Every game I choose the best starting XI," Arbeloa said.
"Dani Carvajal had great minutes and I’m very pleased with him. Trent had a great impact and I’m lucky to have many good options, and that everyone is contributing as they did today.
”I repeat once again, in every game I select the best possible line-up for the team."
Alexander-Arnold's World Cup chances receive huge blow
Alexander-Arnold's last England cap came in June against Andorra in his only appearance under Thomas Tuchel. The right-back came on as a substitute but has not featured since and was not included in Tuchel's latest Three Lions - the final one before the World Cup.
That is despite Tuchel naming a 35-man England squad and Chelsea captain Reece James missing out through injury.
Instead, he included the likes of Tino Livramento, Djed Spence and Jarell Quansah as options at right-back.
The German stressed that he made a "sporting decision" and one that was "tough". Tuchel told talkSPORT that he had "not yet" spoken to Alexander-Arnold regarding his omission.
Topics: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Real Madrid, England
Josh Lawless