Dejan Lovren paraded his own passing expertise late on as Liverpool cruised to a 4-0 win over Newcastle on Boxing Day.
With defensive partner Virgil van Dijk often earning the plaudits for his ability on the ball, it was the Croatian’s turn to remind all of his distribution.
The centre-back went through his progressions like an NFL play-caller with time to spare in the pocket, before spotting Sadio Mane’s darting route and weighting his lofted pass to perfection.
Having caressed the ball into his path, the Senegalese forward couldn’t quite add a fifth for the hosts as his fierce strike flew inches over the bar.
Here’s a look at the moment…
What a pass from Lovren 👏
— Zac Bell (@ZacLBell) December 27, 2018
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It would have marked a fitting way to cap off an Anfield rout, with Mane having been deserving of a goal for another superb performance.
An assist for Lovren would have meanwhile glossed his emphatic half-volley to fire the Reds into an early first half lead.
Interestingly, Jurgen Klopp’s men have won 4-0 in each of the last three games in which Lovren has got himself on the scoresheet.