Newcastle win vital to Liverpool’s Champions League hopes, says Dejan Lovren

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A comprehensive Liverpool win earned all three points which could prove vital to our overall ambitions…

Dejan Lovren believes Liverpool’s win over Newcastle will be vital in our hunt to finish in the top-four Champions League places.

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Goals from Raheem Sterling and Joe Allen to seal a 2-0 win, and whilst we weren’t at our clinical best against the Magpies, missing a host of chances to put the game to bed, the team looked awesomely fluid in attack. With more of a cutting edge, we could have absolutely annihilated Newcastle, and it was hugely encouraging.

What’s more, the win means we’re just four points behind Manchester City in fourth place now, and have overtaken Southampton in the table.

It’s a situation that certainly looks healthier than after the 4-1 defeat to Arsenal – and puts added spice to our upcoming fixture with Chelsea. Three points are surely a must to put extra pressure on the faltering Premier League champions and hopefully overtake them.

“We knew that we’d have a difficult game and we knew that we needed to win if still want to be in the top four,” he told LFC.com after the game with Newcastle.

“We had a little bit of pressure because we are also waiting for the FA Cup semi-final, so it was a good win for our confidence.

“We just need to continue like this and I think we’ll be fine for the semi-final.”

Interestingly, it was the first time both Lovren and Emre Can played together – and in a back four – last night at Anfield.

And given the lengthy lay-off to Mamadou Sakho and the lack of game time Martin Skrtel has had in recent weeks after his suspension, that certainly puts us in good stead for the remainder of the season.

“It was a difficult start for everyone, not just for me,” added Lovren.

“Now I’m settled in and I’m enjoying playing. It was an important clean sheet for everyone’s confidence.

“It was the first time Emre [Can] and I played together, because he’s not used to being in the back four. He did an amazing job. He’s doing a great job here at Liverpool. He can play in almost every position. He’s unbelievable.”

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