Real Madrid are set to pay a staggering amount of money to Trent Alexander-Arnold without having him available following his crushing injury blow.
Alexander-Arnold started Real's Champions League opener against Marseille earlier this month.
But he was forced off in the fifth minute of their game at the Bernabeu after injuring his hamstring.
The 26-year-old could miss up to eight weeks of the season after picking up the knock in his Champions League debut for his new side.
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He is set to miss crucial La Liga fixtures against Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, not to mention big Champions League ties - including a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool on November 4.
That means Real would pay Alexander-Arnold, who earns £250,000 per week, around £2 million without being able to call upon his services.
But the figure would be less if he returned to action sooner.
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Alexander-Arnold will be aiming to play for Real when they meet Liverpool on matchday four of the Champions League.
If he is back in training and in contention to play against his old side, then the Englishman could be resigned to a spot on the bench given Xabi Alonso has rotated his right-backs this season.
He started his team's La Liga opener before being dropped against Oviedo, with Dani Carvajal playing from the start.
On his plans for Alexander-Arnold and Carvajal, Alonso explained: "Fortunately, we have healthy competition within the squad. That's good for the team and the players. They have to be pushed to give their best. You know there is strong competition, you see teammates who are ready to play.
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"So far, Trent and Carvajal have both had an impact in other positions as well, whether that be at centre-back or out wide. I think it's a really healthy thing for the day-to-day in the squad, so nobody feels disconnected. Whoever deserves it the most will play. That will be the case throughout the year."
Alexander-Arnold has made five appearances across all competitions for Real this season, having featured at the Club World Cup during the summer.
He missed their league win over Espanyol last Saturday as Carvajal played at right-back.
Topics: Real Madrid, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Football
Nasir Jabbar