Plenty of Liverpool fans have reacted with disdain to comments from Jurgen Klopp in which he defended Dejan Lovren following his performance at the weekend.
As tweeted by David Lynch, Liverpool correspondent for the Evening Standard (via @LynchStandard), the manager gave his backing to the Croatian defender after he came in for criticism from numerous Reds fans as well as pundit Andy Gray over his display against Watford on Saturday. Klopp said: “If people gave Dejan Lovren the blame for our defeat then I can’t help these people. It was a massive challenge for Dejan to play against Troy Deeney. But losing the first ball is never a problem in these situations so it’s all about formation around that.”
Klopp: "If people gave Dejan Lovren the blame for our defeat then I can't help these people. It was a massive challenge for Dejan to play against Troy Deeney. But losing the first ball is never a problem in these situations so it's all about formation around that."
— David Lynch (@dmlynchlfc) March 2, 2020
Lovren came into the team in place of Joe Gomez at Vicarage Road but he endured a difficult evening, allowing the ball to bounce from the throw-in which led to Abdoulaye Doucoure setting up Ismaila Sarr for the first of Watford’s three goals in their emphatic victory over the previously unbeaten Premier League leaders (as per Sky Sports). The Croatian was selected ahead of Joel Matip, who had begun the season as a fixture in Liverpool’s defence but has played just a solitary minute in the league since incurring a knee injury in October.
Despite their status as European champions and their 22-point lead in the Premier League, these Liverpool fans on Twitter fumed at Klopp over his comments on Lovren:
This is sickness man. You’re right. Lovren is not to be blamed. You are the one to be blamed since you’re picking him ahead of Matip.
— Jubaer (@jubaer__G) March 2, 2020
If Klopp can’t admit that he was wrong in his team selection by picking Lovren especially when Gomez wasn’t injured as he later explained then he is also part of the problem.
— caged bird ? (@flacko_jnr) March 2, 2020
Matip would have coped admirably with Deeney we blame Klopp for playing Lovren in the first place
— Nwikyz (@nwikyernest) March 2, 2020
Don’t usually disagree with Klopp, but Deeney is a “massive challenge” now? Is he just talking about the size of his head? He’s got 2 goals from open play in 28 or 29 matches. Come on now.
— Ryan (@RyanO21) March 2, 2020
the whole team are to blame plus Klopp I mean why didn’t he play matip and keep lovren on the bench and don’t you dare call me a fake lfc supporter
— helen raybould (@rizz50isles1) March 2, 2020
I don’t blame Lovren I blame you for playing him
— Archie (@archieIfc) March 2, 2020
We cant help you Klopp the fact you keep playing him ahead of Matip
— mustluka (@mustluka) March 2, 2020
Liverpool fans, what did you make of Klopp’s verdict on Lovren following the Watford game? Comment below with your views!
