Lovren: I am one of the best defenders in the world

Dejan Lovren has had enough of the criticism.

The Croatian international boldly pronounced himself as one of the game's best defenders shortly after reaching the World Cup final with his national team.

"From my point of view, I had people saying I didn't have a great season, but I don't agree with that," the 29-year-old told beIN Sports. "I took Liverpool to the final of the Champions League and now with my national team we are in the final. I think people should recognise that I am also one of the best defenders in the world and not just talk nonsense."

Lovren has recovered from a series of high-profile errors in the first half of the 2017-18 Premier League season to become a lynchpin for both his club and country. Virgil van Dijk's arrival at Liverpool appeared to calm down the Zagreb native, whose predisposition to calamity had come to define him.

Lovren has struck a similarly tight relationship with Domagoj Vida at the heart of Croatia's defence. No defensive partnership has produced more clearances at the World Cup, with the two clearing the lines a total of 61 times.