In a recent interview with the Croatian news outlet Sportske Novosti (translated by the Daily Express), Liverpool centre-back Dejan Lovren shed some light on why Jurgen Klopp did not sanction his loan exit earlier this summer and said, “I feel relief the transfer window is closed. I got tired of reading and listening every day about me leaving or staying in Liverpool.
“Everyone wrote ‘Dejan is here, Dejan is there’, and knew nothing! It annoyed me.
“Yes, I did consider moving, I knew I gave my best for Liverpool, won Champions League and I am not kind of player that likes to be benched and earn money.
“Some people around me advised me ‘What do you care, you are in big club, shut up take the money’ But I am not happy on the bench.
“I feel very happy because all the time I felt LFC was by me, I respect that a lot. Klopp told me ‘Listen, buddy, you are [a] top-class player, we will not let you go on loan. We need you.’
“I wanted to leave, it didn’t happen, I was told Liverpool needs me and I accepted that.
“Last week I spoke to Klopp again, he told me he understands me, knows I am not happy, but he also said “Look, now it is finished, I want you to reset your head, I find you important.
“I am in my prime age, in great shape, mentally ready and you can not buy experience.”
Lovren’s Lack Of Game Time At Merseyside
The Croatia international has been a vital member of Klopp’s squad over the past few years. The 2018 FIFA World Cup finalist enjoyed the best year of playing career last season when he helped Liverpool win the European Cup for the sixth time at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium earlier this summer. Lovren featured in a total of 18 matches for the Merseyside giants in the previous term, netting one goal while creating one assist across all competitions.
Despite being a sporadic feature in Klopp’s senior team, the 30-year-old was able to impress through his commanding displays on the field last season. He averaged 1.2 tackles, 0.8 interceptions and 3.9 clearances per game in the top tier of England (stats via whoscored). Lovren has also secured 53 international caps for Croatia and got two goals to his name for his homeland.
Does Klopp Need The Croatia International This Season?
The Croatian centre-half had to endure a lot of injury problems during his football career, which has derailed his progress at Anfield. However, the Reds would rely on his assistance if they are to compete for in five different competitions this season. The European champions will need Lovren for the domestic cup competitions as well as the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup which is set to be held in Qatar this winter.
The former Olympique Lyonnais talent initially struggled to adapt to life at Merseyside but has since made a positive impression as a member of the Liverpool first-team over the past couple of campaigns. He has been a reliable presence and still has a few years left in his locker to perform at his peak level alongside Virgil Van Dijk at the heart of Klopp’s backline.
Even though Lovren is in dire need of more first-team minutes, the fact remains that he has a golden opportunity to win more silverware with Liverpool in the coming years. Thus, he should settle for a reserved role at Anfield and patiently wait for his chance to impress as part of Klopp’s first XI.
