Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp agreed to Croatia and The Reds centre-back Dejan Lovren’s claim to be one of the best defenders in the World but also joked that the 29-year old defender should not be the one making the decision himself.
Earlier Lovren made the headlines after he claimed to be recognized as one of the best defenders in the World as he pointed out his Champions League success with Liverpool and his contribution in Craotia’s magnificent run to their first ever final in the World Cup.
Klopp also agreed with Lovren’s claim to be among the best defenders in the World but also jokingly mentioned that probably it would be better if someone other than the 29-year old centre-back had said it.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. “Yes. It would be better if somebody else would say that and not Dejan! But actually he’s right,” Klopp told reporters.
The Reds boss also admitted that Lovren is a crucial part of the Croatia team alongside the midfield duo Ivan Rakitic and Luka Modric.
“People don’t think about that, but if you go into detail it’s not a big surprise that [Croatia] are where they are. They don’t have world class full-backs, but in the end they don’t concede.
“They are offensive in the midfield with [Ivan] Rakitic, [Marcelo] Brozovic, [Luka] Modric, so somebody needs to fix all that. Dejan is a big part of that.
“He was for us in the Champions League final, three years ago he was in the Europa League final. Yes, he didn’t win that. In the Champions League final, I didn’t see two better centre-halves than him – only more ruthless. That’s the thing.
“For me it’s no surprise. He played a really good World Cup, but to do it consistently is more important. We will work together for a long time, so I will have the opportunity to help him. Next time I will say it.” Klopp concluded.
Leave your comments