World Cup 2018: Marcus Rashford and Trent Alexander-Arnold post hilarious message of congratulations after losing at head tennis to England team-mates Eric Dier and Fabian Delph
Liverpool defender and Marcus Rashford took on their international compatriots with a public apology on the line
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD was forced to offer a hilarious apology alongside Marcus Rashford to team-mates Eric Dier and Fabian Delph.
The Liverpool and Manchester United pair took on the duo at a game of head tennis with a public apology at stake for the losers.
And it appears nobody could get the better of Dier and Delph as they stood proudly as champions.
Alongside an image of the England duo standing with their arms crossed on Instagram, Alexander-Arnold wrote: "It was an honour and a privilege for Marcus and I to have shared the court with the head tennis champions.
"We want to thank them for the opportunity, even though we lost heavily we feel we have learnt a lot from the experience and will be better for it in the future.
"We can only dream of one day reaching their level. #Ouridols."
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Dier and Delph were standing beside a blackboard that had the words "Dier + Delph Arena. Ease is a greater threat to progress than hardship. Head tennis champions."
The tongue-in-cheek nonetheless reflects the high morale that boss Gareth Southgate has imbued in his squad.
On Tuesday the players looked in good spirits as they hoisted rubber chickens through the air during training.
England face their biggest match in 28 years on Wednesday night but the pressure looked off their shoulders with Southgate watching on in Repino.