Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has defended Dejan Lovren from criticism after Edin Dzeko’s consolation on Tuesday.
Jurgen Klopp has admitted to Liverpool’s official website that Dejan Lovren made a mistake in the Reds’ 5-2 demolition of Roma in the Champions League last night, but suggested Trent Alexander-Arnold deserves most of the blame for the goal.
Klopp’s side have one foot in the final of the competition after thumping the Italian side, who threw themselves a couple of lifelines in the form of two late goals after Liverpool went 5-0 ahead.
It was Edin Dzeko who grabbed Roma’s first consolation, capitalising on a mis-timed jump from Lovren to finish well past Loris Karius on 81 minutes.
But the German manager has suggested that the Croat’s error would not have been as costly had his right-back been well positioned to cover Dzeko in the first place.
He told Liverpool’s website: “Dejan played a world-class game, was outstandingly good, and this ball he misjudged – he was a little bit too early.
“That’s usually no problem if the full-back is in the right position. Trent, who played an outstanding game – a world-class game – is not in the right moment because Dejan won all the balls before.”
Fans of the Anfield club slaughtered Lovren for the error but Klopp’s interpretation is certainly interesting.
Regardless, it shouldn’t be all that costly for Liverpool, who still boast a three-goal advantage ahead of Wednesday’s visit to the Italian capital, but Roma overturned the same deficit in the previous leg against Barcelona so Klopp won’t be counting any chickens.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
