Liverpool targeting Virgil van Dijk isn’t especially good news for the club’s central defenders, and that of course includes Dejan Lovren. Experiencing ups and downs since his own move from Southampton, Lovren was visibly irritated this week when questioned on potential competition with the Dutchman.
Jurgen Klopp must feel he really needs Van Dijk, given the estimated price of a transfer being pushed around, and whilst the Southampton player being the most expensive defender on the planet may be farcical, it would also show Liverpool really mean business this summer.
Despite Lovren’s storming off, a former coach believes the Liverpool defender has the character to fight for his place in the team, whether that be at club level or with Croatia.
Željko Adžić coached Lovren in the Dinamo Zagreb youth team, and is quoted by Vecernji 
List as saying: “Lovren is such a character that he cannot be demotivated by anything. He’s the guy who’s going to die in training to win his position. If not, he wouldn’t have been at Lyon and Liverpool, at clubs where some would be happy to sit on the bench.”
Lovren won’t be happy if he’s expected to play a back-up role at Liverpool next season, but he’ll have confidence that may not be the case.
