Jurgen Klopp defends Liverpool defender after performance in Watford loss

Add as preferred source on Google

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has defended under-fire Croatian enforcer Dejan Lovren his performance in the 3-0 defeat to Watford on Saturday, during his pre-match press conference as quoted by the Liverpool Echo.

Three second-half goals put Liverpool to the sword for their first defeat of the 2019/20 league campaign.

A brace from Ismaila Sarr and a Troy Deeney striker saw the Hornets shock the Reds, with Lovren coming in for some criticism.

Klopp doesn’t agree, however, and backed his player during his latest press conference.

He told the Liverpool Echo: “If anyone gave Dejan Lovren the blame for our defeat, then I can’t help them.

“It was a massive challenge for Dejan to play against Troy Deeney. So many other centre-backs would struggle.

“Dejan and Joel (Matip) played sensational games in this position, but like in life you need to be fit, you need rhythm. He’s an outstanding centre-half.”

Klopp arrived at Anfield in 2014 from Southampton and this season he has fallen down the pecking order.

Despite being viewed as Liverpool’s fourth choice centre-back, he was handed a rare chance to impress on Saturday.

He was handed a torrid time by a determined Hornets outfit who boosted their chances of Premier League survival.

Lovren has played 184 times for the Reds but the summer could be an uncertain time for him.

He has been linked with a move away from the club and with other central defenders touted with switching to Liverpool, he could be the fall guy.

If the Reds can find a suitor for Lovren, a departure would make sense. The 30-year-old will have just one year to run on his £100,000-a-week contract in the summer.

For now, Klopp might need to call upon Lovren again and it seems a wise call to publicly back him.