Real Madrid have conceded nine goals in their last three home games. In the Champions League, they conceded two against Borussia Dortmund and three against AC Milan. In LaLiga, they shipped four to Barcelona. Two of those matches, Milan and Barcelona, resulted in embarrassing losses.
The defensive solidity Real Madrid showed last season is nowhere to be found this season. One of the reasons has to do with the injury to Dani Carvajal. The Real Madrid right-back tore his ACL in the final moments against Villarreal.
Since then, Lucas Vazquez has taken his place and it's no coincidence it coincides with their last three losses. To sum it up, Vazquez hasn't been up to the task.
Therefore, it should come as no surprise that Real Madrid are reportedly set to make a splash during the winter transfer window.
According to ESPN, Real Madrid has set their sights on Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Real Madrid's interest in Alexander-Arnold is not new. However, many assumed Los Blancos would go after him at the end of the season given his contract with Liverpool runs out in June and would then become a free agent.
But with Madrid in freefall, Florentino Perez is going to buck tradition and try to reinforce the squad in January. It's something he doesn't like to do as it signals the squad planning prior to the season has been poor. It also means making a heavy investment given other club's aren't going to give away their players especially to a club like Real Madrid.
Real Madrid will be betting on Liverpool not wanting to let Alexander-Arnold leave on a free. There has been no news regarding a possible extension for Alexander-Arnold as Liverpool have a number of high-profile stars with contract running down like Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk.
Should Liverpool resign themselves to the fact they won't be able to reach an agreement on an extension with Alexander-Arnold, they'll listen to an offer from Real Madrid. At the same time, they're not going to let him leave for a low transfer fee.
Usually, Real Madrid would have the upper hand but in this scenario, it may not be the case. Sure, Liverpool don't want to let Alexander-Arnold leave on a free but it's Real Madrid who are desperate to sign him given their run of poor results.
With some time left before the winter window opens, if things continue going the way they have been for Real Madrid, incorporating Alexander-Arnold in January may be a moot point by then. Talks may heat up in a couple of weeks when Real Madrid travel to England to take on Liverpool in the Champions League.