Dejan Lovren has jokingly confronted former Liverpool teammate Daniel Sturridge over his World Cup predictions.
Sturridge has been providing some entertaining video predictions on Instagram throughout the tournament so far. In yesterday’s instalment, the former Reds striker looked ahead to Croatia’s last-16 meeting with Japan.
Plumping for Japan to take it, Sturridge apologised to the man he spent four years at Liverpool with.
“Dej, brate, lo siento,” said the 33-year-old.
Never one to shy away from some online banter, Lovren hit back at Sturridge ahead of playing in the game. “Is there a dislike button,” wrote the Croatia centre-back.
Then, having dumped out Japan on penalties, the Zenit man posted three ear emojis alongside a celebratory ‘Brateeeeee’ towards Sturridge. Degsi has the last laugh!
Lovren still playing for the biggest prizes
It’s really quite amazing to see Lovren still performing on the highest level. Now thirty-three, he’s done well to stay in the Croatian team for so long.
First-choice alongside Domagoj Vida for their run to the final four years ago, he now partners 20-year-old Joskvo Gvardiol.
As Croatia prepare to face Brazil on Friday, Lovren will have no fear. He’s played in the very biggest games in world football – a Champions League and World Cup final.
Although he ended up on the losing side in both of those games, the former Liverpool man has unshakable self-confidence.
He’ll believe that Croatia can upset his former teammates Fabinho and Alisson Becker in what would be the shock of the tournament.
As with the rest of us, you can bet that Sturridge will be predicting that this one goes against Lovren as well. But should Croatia spring a surprise, don’t expect Dejan to keep quiet about it!
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