Use your head like Sadio and subscribe to the Liverpool FC newsletter Sign me up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Dejan Lovren has vowed to grasp the opportunity to nail down a regular starting role at Liverpool as he vowed: “I’ll prove I’m a leader.”

The Croatian centre-back will make his 50th appearance for the Reds in Thursday night’s Europa League clash with Bordeaux at Anfield.

It’s been a turbulent ride for Lovren since his £20million move from Southampton in the summer of 2014.

The most expensive defender in the club’s history was hailed by Brendan Rodgers as Jamie Carragher’s long-term successor on his arrival but over the past 18 months he has struggled to live up to that billing.

He was dropped back in September after some error-strewn displays but since last month’s appointment of Jurgen Klopp his form has picked up.

Mamadou Sakho’s knee ligament injury has handed Lovren, who impressed in last Saturday’s 4-1 rout of Manchester City, the chance to enjoy an extended run in the team and he’s determined to take it.

“I would say it has been ups and downs but the most important thing is the present,” Lovren said.

“I am feeling settled and happy in the club and we are playing well.

“I have been tested so many times in my life, even at other clubs, so this is just another school for me to learn. When I am in bad situations, I have great people around supporting me.

“I came here to be a leader and I still feel I can lead a team. I am a person who likes to shout and talk during the game. It is not me if I only think about myself.

“I think when I’m quiet then I am nervous so it is better to be the opposite. When I am shouting I am concentrating more.

“Every player is important in the team - Sakho is of course - but I did not come here to be on the bench. I am playing now and really comfortable and focused to play my best game.

“The most important thing is to go step by step, not look forward eight games. There is a pressure on me but it’s like that in every job.”

Defending is more straightforward under Klopp

The 26-year-old is one of many Liverpool players who has looked more composed and confident since Klopp’s revival.

The German coach has lifted spirits across the club and galvanised the squad as well as the fanbase.

With the organisation Klopp has installed with Lucas Leiva offering protection for the back four, Lovren says defending is more straightforward now than it was under Rodgers.

“I think yes. It is much easier now because we are working much harder than before and we are – I would say – playing like a team now with everyone feeling comfortable,” Lovren added.

“Of course the manager had a big influence on the team and everyone has that (confidence) and every one of the players has changed a little bit their opinion of football.

“We are like he said, we need to live 24 hours with football and the job and everything and it will be payback for us on the pitch.

“It is always easier when a manager has a belief in your team and in yourself.

“It makes it much easier to play and gives you the confidence that even if you make a mistake, afterwards he will talk to you and explain to you the wrong things and good things.

“He is always behind the team and the players are behind him.”

Asked if he felt that same belief under Rodgers, he said: “I don’t want to talk about the past.

“It was not just the manager’s fault. Us, the players, too. I want to forget it and just concentrate on the future.”

Looking to progress

Lovren is looking ahead with optimism – confident the next 50 games of his Liverpool career will be more profitable.

The next challenge is to help secure the victory against Bordeaux which will book the Reds’ place in the last 32 of the Europa League.

With Martin Skrtel struggling due to illness, Lovren will have veteran Kolo Toure alongside him.

Once progress has been secured, the focus will turn to improving Liverpool’s league position.

“Every year we want to be in the top four and the Champions League but we know it will be tough,” he added.

“There are so many big teams around us. But you saw the last game versus Manchester City. We can play against the big teams.

“We showed our quality. We have much more confidence in ourselves and hopefully we can repeat a game like that.”