Trent Alexander-Arnold has sparked speculation after he was heard telling friends about an England team-mate who ‘didn’t want to take a penalty’ in the shootout victory over Switzerland.
The Liverpool star came off the bench in the second-half of extra-time to take a penalty during the shootout and scored the decisive spot-kick to send England into the semi-finals.
Alexander-Arnold had been brought on by Gareth Southgate to take a penalty, a decision which paid dividends as he sent Yann Sommer the wrong way after Cole Palmer, Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka and Ivan Toney all scored.
The 25-year-old celebrated with friends and family after the match – and was overheard saying ‘he didn’t want to take one’ in a video which has gone viral.
His comment has raised debate over who didn’t want to take a penalty.
Players on the pitch at the time of the shoot-out who didn’t take a penalty included Jordan Pickford, John Stones, Kyle Walker, Declan Rice, Luke Shaw and Eberechi Eze.
But the two players who fans thought the 25-year-old might have been talking about were Harry Kane and Phil Foden.
Both players went off during extra-time, with Alexander-Arnold replacing Foden and Toney replacing Kane – moments after the England skipper collided into Southgate on the touchline after being pushed by Manuel Akanji.
One fan wrote: ‘Foden for sure. Hooked with 7 mins left for Trent.’
Another Twitter user posted: ”He didn’t wanna take one” bodied Foden.’
A third person suggested Foden as they said: ‘It could probably be Eze since he looked nervous but I think it’s definitely Foden.’
‘Probably Kane because he’s been shocking most the tournament,’ wrote another supporter.’
An Arsenal fan dismissed suggestions it could be Rice, as they said: ‘Kane and Foden hooked before pens and Chelsea fans are screaming rice in the replies,’ with laughing emojis.
One England fan slammed Alexander-Arnold for the comment to his family, writing: ‘Not a good look for Trent though if the England camp sees this.’
It is also possible Alexander-Arnold was talking about a Swiss player. He would have come up against Man City’s Akanji on several occasions and also played with Xherdan Shaqiri at Liverpool.
Sources close to the England camp say their penalty takers were chosen by Southgate and his coaching staff – and the players were not given a choice.
‘These are the goals and aims that we set for ourselves,’ the Liverpool defender told BBC Sport.
‘They were difficult opponents, again, going behind. The Team showed a lot of character, a lot of belief, a lot of heart and spirit out there. Dug deep when it mattered most, and obviously get the win in a penalty shootout.
‘We knew it was going to be tight and we were never going to run away with the game, although that would have been nice.
‘But whatever it takes, no matter what, we win. And that’s all that matters to us.’