Monday, 28th July, 2014
Brendan Rodgers believes Liverpool can finally replace club legend Jamie Carragher, following the signing of Dejan Lovren from Southampton.
Carragher, who retired after the end of the 2012/13 campaign, was an able leader in Merseyside giants’ defence.
And Rodgers believes Lovren will now provide leadership, which Liverpool lacked last season as they went on to concede 50 Premier League goals, for the Reds’ backline.
"I think he's a really commanding centre-half", the manager told his club’s official site.
"I've said since we lost Jamie Carragher that we needed that leadership. He's a player that gives us that.”
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Lovren, who enjoyed a good World Cup, despite Croatia crashing out of the group stage of the tournament in Brazil, joined Southampton from Lyon last summer, with Rodgers revealing that he has followed the centre-back since his Ligue 1 days.
"He's very strong, very commanding, but he can play. I've been really impressed with him”, he continued.
"I watched him at Lyon, he came into the Premier League with Southampton and I know their players thought he was a big driving force for them and kept them defensively solid.
"He had a really good World Cup. I think he's a player that can still improve, still develop as he's in his mid-20s. He's someone I'm really looking forward to working with."
Lovren, who is Liverpool’s fifth summer signing, becomes the first defender to be roped in by the club this term.
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