OPINION
No player in Liverpool’s recent history has divided opinion quite like defender Dejan Lovren, but his value to the team was demonstrated against Manchester City on Sunday.
The Croatian defender returned to the starting line up in trying circumstances against Pep Guardiola’s side, as Jurgen Klopp surprisingly chose to break up the Joe Gomez-Virgil van Dijk partnership that has flourished for the team this season.
It says much about how highly regarded by his manager Lovren is that Klopp would move Gomez out to right back in order to accommodate the former Southampton man, who is on a reported £90,000-per-week at Anfield [Source: Spotrac].
The 21-year-old has been fantastic at the heart of the Reds’ defence this campaign, but clearly Klopp wanted to reinstate his first choice centre back partnership from last season. The World Cup finalist proved his manager right with a sterling display against the Premier League champions.
Van Dijk and Lovren forged one of English football’s finest partnerships last time around and, despite the abuse he receives, Lovren was a big part of that.
The 29-year-old has evolved into a top class centre half, and he has massively cut down on the mistakes that plagued his first few years on Merseyside.
He looked composed throughout on Sunday, and any attacks City mounted crashed like waves against the sturdy defensive wall erected by Lovren and Van Dijk.
The pair just seem to have an intuitive understanding, and that was demonstrated by how little joy Sergio Aguero had up against them at Anfield.
In the end it was the normally ice-cold Van Dijk who melted first, making a needless challenge on Leroy Sane that produced the penalty that Riyad Mahrez would go on to smash over the bar.
However, that doesn’t take away from the fine performance of both men against Guardiola’s side. Lovren and Van Dijk look to be back in business after the former’s injury troubles, and that’s fantastic news for Liverpool fans.
