Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren is keen to silence his critics when Croatia play England in the Nations League on Sunday.
The 29-year-old former Southampton star came under fire for several high-profile mistakes following his transfer to Anfield in the summer of 2014.
However, he was part of the Croatia squad that reached the World Cup 2018 final, coming from behind to defeat England 2-1 in the last four in Russia.
Sunday's encounter at Wembley is a crunch encounter as, following Croatia's 3-2 victory against Spain on Thursday, both teams know that a win will see them top League A's Group 4 and advance to the Nations League finals.
"It's a final against England, so of course we will be strong," insisted Lovren. "I think it will be a fiery game against them - they know us and what they can expect from us, and we will not run away from that.
"I love playing against England. I know the players in the Premier League and I have competed against them."
England drew 0-0 against Croatia behind closed doors in Rijeka recently and Lovren is anticipating another tight contest.
He added: "People criticise me, but they didn't say much when England didn't score against us in the last game. They will have extra motivation after the World Cup, but I think we will be brave.
"It will not be a friendly. We have beaten Spain and we want to win it now."
Croatia are 4/1 to keep a clean sheet against Gareth Southgate's team and 22/1 to win the Nations League outright next summer.
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Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren is keen to silence his critics when Croatia play England in the Nations League on Sunday.
The 29-year-old former Southampton star came under fire for several high-profile mistakes following his transfer to Anfield in the summer of 2014.
However, he was part of the Croatia squad that reached the World Cup 2018 final, coming from behind to defeat England 2-1 in the last four in Russia.
Sunday's encounter at Wembley is a crunch encounter as, following Croatia's 3-2 victory against Spain on Thursday, both teams know that a win will see them top League A's Group 4 and advance to the Nations League finals.
"It's a final against England, so of course we will be strong," insisted Lovren. "I think it will be a fiery game against them - they know us and what they can expect from us, and we will not run away from that.
"I love playing against England. I know the players in the Premier League and I have competed against them."
England drew 0-0 against Croatia behind closed doors in Rijeka recently and Lovren is anticipating another tight contest.
He added: "People criticise me, but they didn't say much when England didn't score against us in the last game. They will have extra motivation after the World Cup, but I think we will be brave.
"It will not be a friendly. We have beaten Spain and we want to win it now."
Croatia are 4/1 to keep a clean sheet against Gareth Southgate's team and 22/1 to win the Nations League outright next summer.
Source: bet365.com