Dejan Lovren: Leadership, Liverpool and emulating Lucas
Dejan Lovren craves a leadership role for Liverpool.
In the week that the longest-serving member of the current squad departed, with Lucas Leiva completing a move to Lazio after a decade at the club, the No.6 has reiterated his desire to prove his credentials beyond any doubt.
Lovren made 32 appearances at the heart of defence last term and signed a contract extension with the Reds to further prolong a stay that started back in the summer of 2014.
The Croatia international has recovered from a difficult first season to become a regular at centre-back under Jürgen Klopp and considers Lucas’ Anfield career one to emulate.
“We have quite a few players who have leadership in them – I think I’m one of them,” Lovren told Liverpoolfc.com during an extended interview in Hong Kong that can be watched in full on LFCTV and LFCTV GO from 6.15pm BST on Friday.
“The most important thing is the team. I will give everything for the team. Hopefully I can be like Lucas one day, so people can say I made a big impact.
“Year by year I feel more experienced. I know what I can expect. I’m learning day by day with the manager and with the team.
“I feel I’m getting more ready and more powerful. I want to be more powerful and to show to everyone that I’m one of the best defenders in the Premier League.
“I know what I want to achieve with the club. Everyone has a main target. These seasons have gone quite quickly.”
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