Gary Neville believes Dejan Lovren is now showing the form that made him “love” the Croatia defender during his Southampton days.
After an impressive year at the heart of Southampton’s defence, Lovren moved to Liverpool for a reported £20m in 2014.
The Croatian international initially struggled at Anfield, making a number of high-profile errors but, coinciding with the arrival of Virgil van Dijk in January, his form has improved massively for club and country.
And former Manchester United defender Neville has heaped praise on Lovren, claiming the 29-year-old is a “top centre-half.”
“I have to say that for me with Lovren, when he was at Southampton I absolutely loved him. When Liverpool signed him it didn’t surprise me at all,” Neville said (via the Liverpool Echo).
“I think it took him time to settle in. I think now he actually seems to be getting better again. He’s passionate about playing for his country.
“I did think that he and (Domagoj) Vida at the World Cup would struggle, I thought he would give them more problems.
“But they did quite well in the game in the end. He’s confident in himself, he’s got a lot of belief. To be fair, when he’s at his best he’s a top centre-half.”
Dejan Lovren in 2018
After struggling during his first few years at Anfield, Dejan Lovren has enjoyed an immensely successful 2018.
Lovren played a key role in helping Jurgen Klopp’s side reach the Champions League final, finishing runner-up to Real Madrid, before also finishing runner-up at the World Cup with Croatia, beating England in the semi-final before losing out 4-2 to France.
(Photo by Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
In the Premier League, during this calendar year, Lovren has made more blocks (12) than any other Liverpool defender, while his 62 aerial duels won and 87 clearances made are only bettered by Virgil van Dijk, despite Lovren struggling with a pelvic injury at the start of this season.
At the World Cup, Lovren won 37 aerial duels, only Harry Maguire (41) won more, while his 47 duels won was only bettered by Lucas Hernandez (48) and, again, Maguire (59) for defenders.
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