Dejan: We're confident and we know how to win
A lengthy injury list should not prevent Liverpool from walking out at the Etihad Stadium with confidence this evening, according to Dejan Lovren.
Barclays Premier League football returns for the Reds with a trip to pace-setters Manchester City today following a fortnight break for international fixtures.
Lovren was a substitute last time out as Crystal Palace inflicted a first defeat on Jürgen Klopp since he took charge by securing a 2-1 result at Anfield.
The centre-back was introduced after an injury forced Mamadou Sakho off that day and subsequently onto the sidelines alongside a number of his teammates.
But neither the fitness misfortune that has hampered the team this season nor the outcome against the Eagles has affected Lovren’s belief for the clash with City.
“Hopefully we will have all of the players who are in good shape right now ready for the game,” the No.6 told Liverpoolfc.com.
“I know we have a lot of injuries at the moment but I think we are confident; we are confident in the players, confident in the team and the manager also.
“It’s a tough place, definitely, but we know how we can win against Manchester City. We showed that last time we played against them at home.
“We just need to be patient; we don’t need to rush, we need to be patient with the ball.
“It will be a tough game – they have quality players. But at this moment we are in good form and have a good mentality. We definitely didn’t have what we expected in the last game – to win against Crystal Palace – and that was a little down for us.
“But we are back now after the international break and we are looking forward to playing against Manchester City.”
City could welcome back the prolific Sergio Aguero for the teatime contest, but Lovren insists he will not be fazed by the challenge of keeping the Argentinian quiet.
He said: “I’m looking forward to it. I love to play against big players. I never categorise players, I respect everyone but I’m not scared.
“I’m looking forward to playing against him. I have had the opportunity three or four times before; he is a quality player and of course, with one opportunity he can score.
“So we need to be clever and concentrated all the time, for 95 minutes, against him. I need to be me. I need to be focused and that’s it.”