Lovren: Why Bournemouth will be 'a different job'
Bournemouth are likely to pose a different type of challenge to that which Liverpool have faced in recent weeks, according to Dejan Lovren.
But, while the Croatian says he prefers coming up against more expansive sides such as Sunday's opponents, he expects collecting three points to prove as difficult as ever.
The Reds have averaged 68 per cent possession in their last three outings - a trip to Southampton and successive home games against Sunderland and Leeds United - but on each occasion have been frustrated to varying degrees by deep opposition defences.
At St Mary's, Jürgen Klopp's team had to settle for a point courtesy of a 0-0 draw, while the opening goal in both of the back-to-back 2-0 wins that followed only came after 75 minutes.
Lovren does not anticipate a similar approach from Eddie Howe's men at the Vitality Stadium this weekend, which he thinks could make for a more eye-pleasing spectacle.
However, the centre-back also acknowledged that this won't necessarily make for a more straightforward game from a Liverpool perspective.
"To be honest I prefer to play against a ‘playing’ team than a team who is playing deep and waiting for one mistake," he told Liverpoolfc.com.
"That can be the most dangerous thing for us because everyone’s up front and you just need one quick guy or one strong guy and from 10 chances they will get one and they might score.
"It was the same against Burnley, when we lost there 2-0. Definitely it [Bournemouth] will be a different job, maybe more opportunities for us, more space.
"They’re really doing quite well, a playing team with really good individuals, but if we’re at our best on the day - and we’ll need to be at our best - I don’t think we’ll have any problems."
LFCTV GO: Lovren on Reds' trip to Bournemouth
Bournemouth have made an encouraging start to their second season in the Premier League, picking up 15 points from their opening 13 games.
As such, Lovren is wary of the quality in the Cherries ranks and knows the Reds will be punished should they take their foot off the gas.
"They’re quite an interesting team, they have a good manager and it will be tough, but I think we’ve had even tougher games this season and we’ve shown what we can do when we’re at our best," he added.
"I think hopefully everyone is fit, no injuries, so I think we won’t have any problems if our attitude is really good from the start, not after 10-15 minutes.
"I think we’re much smarter than these previous years – we know what you have to do today if you want to win the three points. It’s not enough to be at 99 per cent, it’s 100 per cent or nothing."
After a serious knee injury robbed him of the chance to impose himself on the Premier League last season, striker Callum Wilson has returned to cement his status as a key man for Bournemouth this term.
But Lovren isn't focused on the qualities of just one man as he prepares for the trip down south.
"I don’t look at individuals, I concentrate on myself, with my partner and my teammates defensively," he explained when asked about the in-form forward..
"But these players, if they get the chance to shoot then they will, so we need to be close enough to block them and ready to fight.
"It’s always a battle in the box and everywhere around. I’m working hard to give always my best on the pitch and I think for now everyone is doing quite well."