(Video) Klopp reacts brilliantly to Lovren’s ‘one of world’s best defenders’ claim

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Jurgen Klopp admits Dejan Lovren is justified in categorising himself as one of the world’s best defenders.

The Liverpool manager does, however, wish the Croatian would have left it for someone else to lavish him with such high praise.

Lovren made the claim after helping his nation overcome England to reach the World Cup final against France, which will be contested on Sunday evening.

His efforts to reach the final mark the latest instalment of a superb individual finish to the season, following on from Lovren’s instrumental role in Liverpool’s Champions League run and top-four finish in the Premier League.

Speaking after Liverpools goalless pre-seaso draw with Bury, Klopp told the Liverpool Echo: “It would be better if someone else said that and not Dejan, but actually he is right.”

“He was with us in the Champions League final, and two years ago in the Europa League final. Okay, we did not win that but that means only 11 players were better than us, and only two centre-halves.”

“I did not see two better centre-halves in the Champions League (final) – only that they were more ruthless.”


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Lovren overcame something of a personal obstacle against England as he helped contain Tottenham’s Harry Kane, who admittedly had little in the way of good service on the day.
The centre-back will rightly retain his starting spot alongside Virgil van Dijk upon his return to Melwood having flourished since the Dutchman’s arrival.
Besides eradicating costly rashness from his game, the 29-year-old has asserted himself as a reliable foundation and a key leader in Klopp’s setup.
Liverpool’s defensive improvement on the latter stages of last season, which Lovren was partially responsible for, will now be boosted further by the introduction of holding midfielder Fabinho.
If Lovren wants to operate with that level of self-belief, then so be it.
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