Ex-Tottenham striker Harry Kane has received a huge vote of confidence from Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold , a longtime England teammate.
Three Lions captain Kane is under pressure after some lackluster displays at Euro 2024, and the backing sends a clear message that the rest of the squad expects him to keep his place. Alexander-Arnold says Kane is the best finisher he has faced and that his Liverpool teammate, Netherlands defender Virgil van Dijk , will be hoping he is rested.
England star Alexander-Arnold said: "Anyone who is facing England would like to see Harry Kane not playing. 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."
READ MORE: Teun Koopmeiners asking price revealed as Liverpool remains favorite for transfer
READ MORE: Barcelona president offers transfer hint after links with Liverpool forward Luis Diaz
Alexander-Arnold continued: "I think we are talking about England's record goalscorer so that is as big as anything you can say about him. He scores goals, he is a striker, he scored two in the tournament, helped us win games and then as our captain, as our leader, he is someone who leads by example.
"He gives the team talk but he is even more of a leader by example as a professional and an athlete, somebody who is exemplary in the example he sets.
"He gives everything to the game and everything to the team and leaves no stone unturned when it comes to how he dedicates himself to his role within the team. He is part of the reason why the environment is such a good one within camp. And a reason why we are heading to a semi final."
Alexander-Arnold also says every player in the squad wanted to take a penalty in their shoot-out. Liverpool star Alexander-Arnold was filmed talking to his two brothers Tyler and Marcel after scoring the decisive kick with social media suggesting that he was claiming that one player did not want to take a penalty.
But Alexander-Arnold said: "I'm not sure what actually was said but it definitely wasn't that because as players we have no input on who takes the penalties. So, I would never say that about a teammate."
"Everybody wants to take a penalty, if I am honest. Everyone has got that confidence. We practice and everybody is confident. It's just about what order you are told to take it in."
Alexander-Arnold also says that he was not nervous about taking a penalty and was excited about the prospect. He added: "On the walk up you know what you are going to execute and you have practiced for it. I was fortunate to have an opportunity to book us a place in the semis. I was excited more than nervous.
"It's positive pressure, if anything. It was exciting, I've never been in that position before to score a winning penalty, so it was a new experience for me. We get told the order. We practice our penalties, we get given the order and then you're confident in yourself because you know you have a job to do.
"It's like any other part of the game: the manager tells you what way to play and what to do and you try to go out and execute that the best you can. So when you are told which penalty your are taking you try to do your best."
Most Popular
Comments / 0