Xabi Alonso's comments to Real Madrid president Florentino Perez about Trent Alexander-Arnold have emerged in a new report.
Alexander-Arnold signed for Real on June 1, with Los Blancos agreeing a £10 million fee with Liverpool to break him out of his Reds contract early.
He has subsequently started all four games at this summer's Club World Cup so far.
The Real number 12 provided his first assist in Real's 1-0 win over Juventus, which qualified them for the quarter-finals of the competition.
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His cross was headed home by striker Gonzalo Garcia on 54 minutes for the only goal of the game.
The former Liverpool vice-captain is now three matches away from claiming his first silverware with his new club.
Alonso has praised Alexander-Arnold for his adaptation to the squad and for his attacking displays but he has indicated he still has work to do defensively.
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According to Defensa Central, he has privately told Florentino Perez that the number 12 'finds it hard to let go because he doesn't want to make mistakes'.
It is added: "When he is fully adapted, he will be a great player and he will give a lot of assists like the one for Gonzalo's goal against Juventus."
The Spaniard told reporters: "Yes, we have been caught out there, but we have not helped him. Everything takes time, but I am confident that we are going to have a reliable full-back. First we have to improve the collective."
Meanwhile, Alexander-Arnold has already revealed how Alonso has 'gone out of his way' to help him adapt to his new surroundings.
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"The manager speaks to me a lot individually to make sure I understand everything that gets said," he explained (via The Athletic).
"The meetings are in Spanish so he goes out of his way, and the staff go out of the way, to make sure I understand the game plan."
Topics: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso, Florentino Perez, FIFA Club World Cup, Football, Liverpool
Ryan Smart