Liverpool

Brendan Rodgers praises Dejan Lovren for second season form

By Calum Gillon, Reporter | 29 August 2015

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers praises defender Dejan Lovren from bouncing back after what was a 'difficult first year' at Anfield.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has praised Dejan Lovren for bouncing back from last season's poor form.

Lovren signed for Liverpool for £20m in the summer of 2014 but the Croatian failed to hold down a first-team spot at Anfield in his first term.

Liverpool have started the season well though and have failed to concede in their first three league games, with Lovren playing every minute of those games.

"Like a lot of players it was always difficult that first year coming in," Rodgers told The Guardian. "There was a lack of stability in the group and it was a case of reassuring him that he was still a top-quality player.

"What has really helped him is how quickly the full-backs close the game down when we lose the ball. In those situations [Nathaniel] Clyne and [Joe] Gomez really help the centre-backs. But for Dejan, he's much more patient in his game now, he's got the stability of playing.

"He's in the team and he's in because he had a good pre-season so he's in good condition. He's focused but he's also a bit more relaxed in his position."

A fourth consecutive clean sheet at home to West Ham United today would equal the club's record from the start of a league campaign, achieved a decade ago.