Lovren: How we can do the double over Leicester
Dejan Lovren is under no illusions as to the challenge awaiting Liverpool at Leicester City tonight but the defender is confident the Reds can repeat their Anfield victory over the leaders.
Claudio Ranieri’s team have been the story of the season and top the Barclays Premier League table, having lost just twice in 23 matches so far – including the 1-0 defeat by Jürgen Klopp’s side on Boxing Day.
The Foxes have recovered from that festive setback and are unbeaten in the league since, but Lovren believes another positive result is possible for his team at the King Power Stadium.
He told Liverpoolfc.com: “It was a tough game against them. They have been first in the table and we were fighting against them. It was a deserved win.
“But now it’s the same thing again and we just need to continue to play well. They are a team playing on the counter-attack and it will definitely be tough. But I’m confident in the team and our players.
“Hopefully we will do it again there. We know it will be tough but it’s a great opportunity for us to take a step forward and show everyone we deserve to be in the top four at the end.”
Lovren added: “They are a consistent team, which is important. If you want to be at the top, you need to be consistent. They are doing well and it will be a tough game but we know our qualities.
“We definitely need to be smart against them because they have so many good and talented players. They haven’t had many injuries this season and I think that’s also one of the points why they’re still at the top.”
Liverpool’s No.6, on the other hand, has been afflicted by injuries this season and missed the bulk of a frantic fixture schedule in January after being forced off during the first leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final with Stoke City.
He returned to the starting line-up for Saturday’s FA Cup stalemate against West Ham United, which forced a replay at Upton Park that will decide which team progresses to a fifth-round tie at Blackburn Rovers.
And while the additional game brings more demands on Klopp’s squad, Lovren could reflect on a number of positives personally and collectively.
“It was a three-week injury, so it was great to be back with the team,” the centre-back said.
“It was a good start – we played well and got a clean sheet. We have another opportunity to do better and go through to the next round. We had so many chances.
“I’m proud of the team. We showed great attitude and great character with the young players, and showed that we have so many good talents here and they deserve to play. It was a good performance.
“You’re glad you didn’t lose, but you have another game! It is so tight between the games and you don’t have time to recover.
“But the good thing is that the injured players are coming back soon and we will all be together and fit enough to play all of the games.”