Dejan Lovren has claimed he is ready to fill the void created by Mamadou Sakho’s injury having overcome a “tough” first season at Liverpool.
The Croatia international is set for an extended run in the heart of Jürgen Klopp’s defence after Sakho was sidelined for six to eight weeks with knee ligament damage before the international break. Lovren’s opportunity is likely to begin at Manchester City on Saturday, with the 26-year-old in line for his first Premier League start since the defeat at Manchester United on 12 September.
Lovren has endured a difficult time at Anfield since his £20m arrival from Southampton last summer, losing his place under the former manager Brendan Rodgers during his debut campaign and again this term once Sakho seized his chance against Bordeaux in the Europa League. But, despite his problems, that continued with a costly error against West Ham United in Liverpool’s first defeat of this season, the central defender insists he has come to terms with the pressures of Anfield.
He admitted: “Last year I had a tough year. I didn’t do pre-season with the team and everything was such a rush. Everyone, all together, has started better than last year. It was important for me that I had a good pre-season with the team and I’m feeling more comfortable now.
“I know the expectations, I know a little bit more about the club and the feelings of the fans. When you do a pre-season outside the UK, you see what a great club and a big club it is. I’m proud to be here. Now my thing is to be here for as long as possible and to win something with the club.”
Lovren was not involved in Croatia’s 3-1 friendly win over Russia on Tuesday, the first defeat of Leonid Slutskiy’s reign as Russia’s head coach, but played in a behind-closed-doors game for Liverpool against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Melwood on Friday. He also replaced Sakho after the France international suffered his knee injury against Crystal Palace.
The defender added: “Mama had a really good couple of games and a good start to the season. We played in Rubin Kazan together and were feeling really good. But you never know in football – injuries can happen today or tomorrow. So you need to be prepared. I was working hard all the time so I’m ready and looking forward to playing.”
