Lovren withdraws from Croatia squad, Salah pipping Messi to Golden Shoe

Afternoon Bulletin

Lovren withdraws from international duty

Dejan Lovren has withdrawn from the Croatia squad with an injury.

Lovren was due to meet up with his compatriots for their two friendlies in the USA against Mexico and Peru.

However, the centre-back has been suffering with an ankle problem which also kept him out of the Liverpool squad for the 5-0 win over Watford at Anfield on Saturday.

There is no word yet on whether Lovren will be fit to face Crystal Palace on the 31st March.

Egyptian Messi’ more prolific than the ‘Real Messi’

The ‘Egyptian Messi’ is on his way to beating the ‘real Messi’ to one of the most coveted prizes in Europe.

Mo Salah, who scored four in the 5-0 win over Watford at the weekend, has been described by his manager Jurgen Klopp as being ‘on his way’ to being mentioned in the same breath as Barcelona great Lionel Messi.

However, it appears Salah could pip Messi to Europe’s Golden Shoe award this season.

The Egyptian’s four-goal haul against Watford has taken him ahead of Messi by three goals in the running for the award given to the most prolific scorer in Europe.

Can and Lallana fit for national teams

Jurgen Klopp has confirmed Emre Can and Adam Lallana are not injured and will meet up with their countries over the international break.

German midfielder Can was withdrawn in the first half during the Watford win on Saturday while Lallana missed out completely.

Both midfielders have been named in their national squads for the upcoming international friendlies.

Klopp has said (on Can): “He will go to the national team and will have treatment there. We will know more then but should not be an issue.”

While Lallana is expected to appear for Gareth Southgate’s England team in their friendlies against the Netherlands and Italy.

“If today was the last game of the season Adam could have played but it isn’t so we gave him the opportunity to get fitter and fitter.”

Joel Sanderson-Murray

MA Sports Journalism student at the University of Salford. Got a lot of time for a false nine and no time in the world for 11 men behind the ball.

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