I suppose if thats your first thought work away. reflects on you. just like how rooney's first thought was a septagenarian with no teeth
Lovren was hardly unique in the Croatian first half but, like the rest of them, raised his game. He deserves to give himself a smug pat on the back. And he is in the World Cup final, which officially makes him one of the best defenders on the planet. Jordan Henderson also has the right to a "Suck It" teeshirt. There were few players in the tournament who got more consistent praise - I got sick of the Godin love-in - though there will continue to be pockets of resistance, like Japanese WWII soldiers who don't know the war is over.
Cause he's a jammy dodger. Carried on the back of one of the most lethal attacks plus soft draw in the CL Is an important player for the croats but again is carried through because of a soft draw.
They had Argentina - who they beat 3-0, Iceland who haven't been push overs and the home nation with all that brings with it, hardly a soft draw - unlike us
No offence but iceland are rubbish. Just because they beat us in the Euros doesn't mean they are good. They are basically the international version of WBA. Good organisation, nick a goal, play rough. Nigeria you never know as african teams are so hit and miss. You'd expect them to be smooth sailing out of the group stages (they looked great) but since then they have had to play Russia who they scraped past and Denmark who they against scraped past. Not saying they are not a good team but as with England, this side of the world cup is soft compared to what they could have faced on the other side
I'll give you Porto, but Man City and Roma who beat Barcelona and topped group with Chelsea and Atletico. Man City were the best team last season by a long way and we beat them home and away in the champions league.
Forgot about Man City. Yea fair enough lol. Roma are decent but not a top club. I know you can argue that they beat so and so but no one would say Porto had a hard final when maureen won his one against monaco.
Meh, team the other side of the draw hasn't been spectacular either. Uruguay fell apart without Cavani and self-destructed after they went 1 goal down. Brazil flatter to deceive, they aren't that good Portugal really are a 1 man team (a 33 year old man) Mexico looked good in the first two game and ran themselves out Argentina, no defence. Just because they're Argentina doesn't mean they're any good. Japan, hardworking but not a great team Only Belgium looked like a winner (other than France) Its why this World Cup was so open, alot of teams on a similar level and the 'best' teams aren't invulnerable
It’s funny. When it was 1-1 yesterday, someone near me quiped “it’s all set up for a cracking Lovren header to win it”. All I could think was - ya, but a winner for which team.. Still, having too much confidence is better than having no confidence. Go get em Dejan!
Klopp: Why Dejan deserves all the current plaudits Dejan Lovren has earned the plaudits coming his way with his outstanding form for club and country, according to Jürgen Klopp. The Liverpool centre-back is one game away from becoming a World Cup winner, having helped Croatia overcome England on Wednesday night to set up a decider against France in Moscow this weekend. Lovren was an integral contributor for the Reds as they reached the Champions League final in May, meaning the 29-year-old will have played in two of the biggest fixtures in world football within two months. Klopp feels the positive arc of the defender’s past season is just reward for a player he believes can still improve further, too. “People very often judge other people pretty early. I don’t know exactly what happened before I came in,” the manager told Liverpoolfc.com. “Since I came in, maybe Dejan made three or four mistakes, two of them in the Tottenham game, maybe one in a Champions League game last year. But it’s for sure not 15 or 20. “90 per cent of the time he played outstanding, 95 per cent absolutely OK, and five per cent probably he was not at his best. But you will find these problems for pretty much all the players in the world. “I’m completely happy. I’m happy that he used the little advice we gave him in the last few years in a very good way. He can still improve, 100 per cent. “But he is on a really good way. I didn’t see all of the World Cup games but a lot – he played a fantastic tournament so far. It’s well deserved, I’m really happy for him.” please log in to view this image DEJAN LOVREN: LIVERPOOL'S EIGHTH WORLD CUP FINALIST The semi-final clash between England and Croatia was a tough watch for Klopp given his affiliation with current and former players on both sides. His disappointment for Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jordan Henderson and fans of the country he calls home at the moment sat alongside satisfaction in seeing Lovren reach the pinnacle of the international game. “It was a really strange feeling. I live in England and have two players in the England team, so I was a little bit more for England,” he said. “It was a very intense game, how a semi-final should be. Both teams played better football in the tournament but it was the second-to-last game of a very long season for all the players. “It was a sign again how a game can change in one second. England controlled the game more or less, Croatia looked exhausted in that part of the game – and then they scored a goal and got a real push. “I can imagine everybody is disappointed but it was still a fantastic tournament with one game to come. Third or fourth at the World Cup, with all the teams that were not there like Italy and Holland, that were out early like Germany, Brazil and Argentina – it’s a big tournament with a lot of really good teams. With a very young team they did a brilliant job. “Of course I’m delighted for Dejan. The country is small but all the players are pretty big. It’s impressive what they are doing. They are a strong team, their players play all over the world. It’s good to see. “If you want, I had two players in the team because Ivan Perisic was my player when we won the double years ago at Dortmund. I’m happy for them of course.” https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/306892-jurgen-klopp-dejan-lovren-world-cup
Have to agree. Croatia have been decent but not spectacular this tournament. They've had a mostly easy ride. I can't imagine Croatia beating France but I certainly hope they do.
It wasn't the hardest route to the final but it wasn't the easiest either. Making the CL final isn't something to scoff at, it could have been worse others have had easier routes there... It was a mixed bag.
Yeah man city = soft. Tbh though.... last 16 was a kind draw to lfc. But people told us Porto were decent. Roma were only ok But they did best barca
