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Jurgen Klopp believes Liverpool fans have demonstrated their class by making Dejan Lovren the unlikely winner of the club’s Player of the Month award.

An online campaign was launched to vote for the Croatian defender after he was subjected to sickening abuse and threats on social media.

It’s been a torrid spell for Lovren. He hasn’t featured since his error-strewn display in the defeat to Tottenham at Wembley due to a thigh problem, while his house was targeted by thugs during Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Maribor.

But Klopp says the manner in which so many supporters have rallied round him ahead of Saturday’s trip to West Ham has helped to lift his spirits at a difficult time.

“It only shows how fans are different from people who are very loud on social media or wherever. That’s how I see it,” Klopp said.

“In the more difficult moments you have to really show togetherness. I think it’s one of the best signs. I could not imagine the fans would react that quick.

“I’m not sure exactly when the vote was, but obviously that was the reaction and I really like the fact that they did it because it’s a fantastic sign.”

Klopp has urged his Liverpool players not to read what’s said about them on social media sites. The manager has reiterated to the squad that the only opinion that truly matters is his own.

“I cannot say don’t do it because even for clubs there are a lot of things we have to do on social media. It’s part of the role, it’s not bad,” Klopp said.

“It’s just overestimated, you think it’s the truth. That’s our problem in this world, you read something and think: ‘Oh my God! That’s it.’

“I would not even be concerned if I read something about my neighbour or something. I would go to my neighbour’s house and say: ‘Is it right or not?’ That’s not the world, we take it like it is, that’s what I don’t like. We all have to learn to judge it right.

“That’s why I said it’s a fantastic sign that our fans show that’s not the truth. Yes, we make mistakes. Dejan made a mistake or two in a game but that’s not a problem, we still can show togetherness.

“You (the media) know it better than I do. Your job was much easier years ago when you could write and weren’t under pressure from the time side saying: ‘We have to do it now because in one hour they will have it already then nobody will want to read my story anymore.’

“I tell the boys: ‘Don’t read it.’ But they might be on social media from the sponsors side, boots and stuff like that.

“The criticism, the things we think about the game, that’s our opinion. But no other opinion is important. That does not mean I am always 100% right but it’s the only important one.”

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Win or lose, Klopp rarely says much to his players in the immediate aftermath of a match as he prefers to wait 24 hours to evaluate when he’s calmer.

“I’m not leading by emotions - that’s why I don’t talk too often after a game,” he said.

“Then I am still full of emotions but a day later I am completely in an analyse mode. What was right, what was wrong, what could we change?

“It’s not so easy but I’ve never said: ‘No, it’s not allowed to go on it (social media)’. They’re not under-21s anymore.”