England take on Croatia in the World Cup this evening.
Pundit Paul Merson has told the Daily Star that he thinks Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren won’t have slept well thinking about having to play against Harry Kane tonight.
After France beat Belgium 1-0 in Saint-Petersburg on Tuesday night to book their place in the World Cup final, the attention now turns to the other semi-final as England take on Croatia.
England’s shock run to the last four has captured the nation, and after easing past Sweden with a 2-0 win on Saturday afternoon, they now take on Zlatko Dalic’s Croatia in Moscow.
Croatia have yet to lose at this summer’s World Cup, having blitzed through the group stage with wins over Nigeria, Argentina and Iceland, before edging past Denmark and Russia on penalties.
There are a number of key battles that may well decide the game; how John Stones copes with the physicality of Mario Mandzukic will be one, as will how Jordan Henderson can cope playing against Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic.
One matchup England will look to exploit involves Dejan Lovren, as he will have to go up against Harry Kane, who is currently in line to win the Golden Boot at this summer’s World Cup.
Liverpool defender Lovren was run ragged by Kane when Tottenham thrashed Liverpool 4-1 at Wembley Stadium in October, with Kane turning him twice to score and then set up Son Heung-min before Lovren was substituted after just 31 minutes.
The pair meet again tonight, and pundit Paul Merson has told the Daily Star that he thinks Lovren will have had sleepless nights thinking about facing Kane again, highlighting it as a key factor in England’s hopes.
“Dejan Lovren won’t have slept well about facing Harry Kane again either,” said Merson. “Kane has given him the runaround enough times when Spurs have played Liverpool. He even got subbed once before half time playing against him,” he added.
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