There would have literally only been a handful of Liverpool fans who’d have selected Dejan Lovren to start ahead of Mamadou Sakho in central defence before our Premier League opener versus Stoke.
But three matches and three clean-sheets later, supporters are warming to the much maligned Croatian, who’s looked a transformed defender from the error-prone centre-back we saw in 2014/15.
Alongside Martin Skrtel, Lovren’s looked far more composed on the ball, hasn’t dallied in possession and has made a number of clearances and blocks to see us pick up seven points from the Stoke, Bournemouth and Arsenal fixtures.
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Our best performance probably came last night against the Gunners, and Lovren thinks the team played well enough to to win the game.
“We knew it was going to be a tough game – and we lost here last season – but after the first two games of the season, we had a lot of confidence, so we came here looking for three points,” he told the official website.
“I’d say we’re disappointed [not to have won]. Especially in the first half, we had so many chances. They also had some good chances.
“But I think we were defensively perfect and everyone did a great job. We need to continue like this and the goals will come.”
“The first thing for us was not to concede and then after that, to finish [chances],” added Lovren. “Cech was amazing and made a brilliant save from Benteke on the line.
“But in the end, it’s a good point because we know it’s tough here every time.”
The former Southampton man is winning over doubters, and the rest of them will follow with more clean-sheets. We face West Ham at Anfield next before the irritating international break, and if we can keep the Irons out while bagging a few ourselves, our start to the campaign will be deemed an unmitigated success.