Trent Alexander-Arnold responds to Harry Kane critics after low-key Euro 2024

The England skipper has been below his best but could yet win another Golden Boot all the same

Richard Jolly
in Germany
Tuesday 09 July 2024 07:01 BST
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(Getty Images)

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Trent Alexander-Arnold has sprung to Harry Kane’s defence by saying any of their opponents would love to see the England captain dropped.

Kane has been criticised for his performances in Euro 2024, where he has looked off the pace despite scoring two goals.

But Alexander-Arnold described the Bayern Munich striker as the best finisher he has ever seen and said Kane’s record of 65 international goals speaks for itself.

Kane is set to face Alexander-Arnold’s Liverpool teammate Virgil van Dijk in Dortmund on Wednesday and the Merseysider said: “Anyone who is facing England would like to see Harry Kane not playing.

“I think we are talking about England’s record goalscorer so that is as big as anything you can say about him. You just know he is a threat. Anything in and around the box, you need to be on red alert. He can finish it from any angle. I always say he is the best finisher I have seen or played with. He can find the back of the net from anywhere. He can drop down and build play up and his hold-up play is incredible, too. All round, a fantastic player.”

Alexander-Arnold has not spoken to Van Dijk in the build-up to the game though he said he may get in touch to wish the defender a happy 33rd birthday.

But he does not believe he will have any tips to help England’s attackers find a way to get the better of the centre-back.

He added: “The quality he has got, I think anyone who has watched him play, at club level or for his national team, will say how good a player he is, so he has not got many weaknesses. I don’t know that I can be of much help to our attacking players but we have got to get past him and get past them to reach a final.”

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