Trent Alexander-Arnold backs Harry Kane amid clamour for captain to be dropped

Trent Alexander-Arnold insists the Netherlands would love to face an England side without Harry Kane in their Euro 2024 semi-final after the captain came in for criticism following recent performances.

Kane has two goals at the finals but his all-round play has drawn plenty of questions as he has been on the periphery of a number of games, in particular the quarter-final penalty shoot-out win over Switzerland.

The Bayern Munich striker was replaced during extra time following a nasty fall into the England technical area and watched on as his team-mates scored all five spot-kicks to book a clash against the Dutch in Dortmund on Wednesday.

Since then, there has been a clamour for Kane to be dropped for the crunch game, despite his fantastic tournament record and his place as England’s all-time leading goalscorer.

“Anyone who is facing England would like to see Harry Kane not playing,” Alexander-Arnold said when asked if the Netherlands would be pleased if Kane was left out by Gareth Southgate.

“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 and puts everything into games.

“So whether or not he is getting criticised, people will always have opinions and people will always say things but he is leading us into a semi-final on Wednesday so he must be doing something right.

“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.”

Liverpool full-back Alexander-Arnold would have come up against Kane on numerous occasions during his time