“From my point of view, people said I had a difficult season but I don't agree," said the 29-year-old.

"I took Liverpool to the final of the Champions League. Now with my national team we are in the final of the World Cup.

"I think people should recognise that I am also one of the best defenders in the world and not just talk nonsense,” Lovren said in the UK's Liverpool Echo.

Lovren joined Liverpool from Southampton in 2014 and played 43 games in all competitions last season. He has 45 international caps.

He added that Croatia captain Luka Modric was “one of the best midfield players in the world”, and deserved to win the Ballon d’Or should Croatia win the World Cup.

Croatia will face France in their first-ever World Cup final at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium on Monday morning at 1:00am AEST.