Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren admits there is a ‘black cloud’ hanging over him after death threat
DEJAN LOVREN has opened up on how he wants to lift the 'black cloud' hanging over him since his family received a death threat.
The Liverpool defender has been criticised after a string of poor performances and was sent a message on Instagram that read: "I'm gonna murder your family."
And the Croatian has told of how an ongoing injury to his back and the intense scrutiny he now faces on the pitch are making life tough for him.
Lovren told Croatian publication 24Sata: "My condition? Let's say there have been better days.
"You simply cannot change what has happened in the past.
"I would just love to finally get that black cloud away from me, so things can get better.
"It's not easy for me. Maybe it's interesting for everyone else, but I guess it'll be better soon."
Croatia take on Greece in their World Cup play-off first leg in Zagreb.
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The Croats have a proud home record and were unbeaten on their own turf throughout the group stage.
But it was on the road where they had problems, losing to Turkey and Iceland and condemning them to second place in Group I.
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And Lovren knows they must show their quality and book their place on the plane to Russia next year.
Lovren added: "The most important thing is to make the two of us better, to go to the World Cup.
"I have already played against Greece, I think it was in 2011 and we lost it there. Now we are all much more experienced, we have learned something about these mistakes.
"We have a terribly talented generation, and we need to move on the field as well, and I am firmly convinced that we will be in Russia."
