Lovren: This is where Liverpool must improve ahead of potential European return
By Matt Farr
Liverpool defender Dejan Lovren insists the club must improve defensively if they are to achieve success next season.
The Reds have conceded a total of 42 goals from their 37 Premier League matches this term, the second highest of any side in the current top six.
Lovren, 27, has been a key part of the Anfield back-line under Jurgen Klopp, and has contributed to a much-improved defensive record over the past five outings, where they have kept four clean sheets.
But the need for defensive reinforcements remains a pressing issue for the club this summer, and Lovren admits that they will need to improve if they are compete in the Champions League next season.
He told the Liverpool Echo: “We need to improve in defence especially in the Champions League because they are just the top teams in the league. You can win games, but to win a championship you need to be defensive.
“We are an attacking team and when you’re an attacking team you have many players in the front. That means you will leave just a couple of players behind.
“Especially if you play the better teams, or quicker strikers, they will get one chance and they will use it.”
Liverpool stand on the verge of brining European football back to Anfield ahead of next season, as they currently sit third in the Premier League with one game remaining.
The Merseyside outfit boast a four point lead over fifth-placed Arsenal, but the Gunners have two games still to play, and Liverpool will need to win against Middlesbrough to ensure they secure European qualification.
Lovren, who has been capped 31 times by Croatia at international level, has made 31 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring two goals.
He played the full 90 minutes on Sunday as Liverpool thumped West Ham 4-0 at London’s Olympic Stadium.
But Klopp is likely to see the solution to their defensive woes lie beyond Lovren and the remainder of his current crop, with the Liverpool chief believed to be in the market for a new defender this summer.
In other Liverpool news, the odds have been slashed on Liverpool signing this 23-year-old amid speculation the transfer is to be announced shortly.
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