Dejan Lovren believes Liverpool can come back even stronger in 2017/2018 following last season’s hard-fought top four finish.
The defender insists the Reds are in a good position mentally and equipped to make further strides as they fight to compete at the top of the Premier League.
It has been the notable room for improvement that has set the bar high given just how impressive Jurgen Klopp’s men were as an attacking force last term.
“I wish I could say what would happen next year, it’s difficult but I would say the objectives are that we finish stronger than last year – that’s the main target, I think,” Lovren told Liverpoolfc.com.
“We’ll learn from last year and we are smarter than last year. I think we’ll be better this year. You see in everyone’s eyes, everyone is hungry, everyone wants to do better.”
“Of course there will be some difficult points again, but I think everyone is only thinking positively, that’s the best way to do better in the future.”
“We exactly know what we need to do, it just depends on our mentality. If we are 1-0 down, we can’t switch off, we need to be focused and believe until the last minute, like he believed in us from day one.”
“I would say to help each other in difficult moments. Last year we had a lot of injuries and people didn’t believe in our full squad, but we showed many times great character and we showed that everyone can play in this team.”
The Reds will again be expected to challenge with the familiar top four teams, significantly improved by new signings, as well as coming through their upcoming Champions League playoff clash and making a statement on the European stage.
Doing so will require addressing the team’s defensive frailties, thereby making this season Lovren’s most important yet on Merseyside.
The hope will be that Liverpool’s strong interest in Virgil van Dijk can become a blessing in disguise and drive the Croatian to make a significant step up.
Klopp similarly faces a potentially defining season in his Anfield tenure.
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