Dejan Lovren: It feels great to be back in this team
Dejan Lovren feels 'great to be back' as the central defender enjoys a run in Jürgen Klopp's starting XI.
Lovren has begun four of the past five Premier League matches for Liverpool and impressed during Sunday’s 3-1 win over Manchester City.
With Joel Matip the most regular starter alongside Virgil van Dijk until sustaining a knee injury in September, and the Reds in outstanding form, Lovren has had to be patient.
The Croatia international took a ‘team first’ attitude to that situation – but is pleased an opportunity to get back on the pitch has now come his way.
“Of course it has been nice to be back playing regularly as part of this team, especially as the beginning of the season wasn’t the best for me personally,” said Lovren in Sunday’s matchday programme.
“But I have always said that the team is the most important thing and we have been getting results in our games unbelievably well, so it was quite understandable for the manager not to change a team which is winning.
“But it is great to be back and to feel the atmosphere again on the pitch.”
With Joe Gomez also pushing for chances, Klopp has four top-class options at his disposal for the two central defensive positions.
The resumption of club football after the current international break marks the start of perhaps the busiest period of the season.
Fourteen fixtures in the Premier League, Champions League, Carabao Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and FA Cup await the Reds up to January 6.
And Lovren explained why a squad mentality will be important to Liverpool’s ambitions for success.
“It is unfortunate for Joel [Matip] to be missing at the moment but injuries are part of football,” he added.
“I have had many conversations with the manager and I’ve been working hard behind the scenes. I’m sure there will be many changes between now and the end of the season.
“I think there are another 50 games in front of us when we look at all the competitions that we have, so there are many games to play and, for sure, we will require all the squad to be ready to come in and compete when needed.”