England captain Harry Kane slammed by Liverpool icon over diving claims

Tottenham forward Harry Kane has not been as sharp recently and has lost a yard of pace, and that is why he has been accused of diving.

That is the opinion of former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol.

Kane has been heavily criticised in recent weeks due to claims that he dived against Arsenal in the north London derby.

The English forward went over in the penalty area under a challenge from Sokratis, but was criticised for going over too easily.

Kane was also criticised for going down too easily against Newcastle under a tackle from Jerome Lascelles, and he didn’t receive a penalty on either occasion.

But Nicol explained on ESPN FC that he believes the forward isn’t as sharp as he should be, and that is the reason he has been going down easily.

“Craig [Burley] said that Harry Kane hasn’t been sharp recently, that bears out,” he said.

“Both challenges that people are saying he dived, he got the timing completely wrong.

“If he was at his best and at his sharpest and focused, he’d get the timing correct and would get the penalty.

“I’m saying he’s not a diver, he’s looking for contract, that’s always been allowed, it’s nothing new.

“If the defender is stupid enough to barge into you, that’s his problem, not the guy with the ball.