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Jurgen Klopp has leapt to the defence of Liverpool centre-back Dejan Lovren.

The Croatia international found himself criticised for the two goals the Reds conceded in the thrilling 4-2 win over Hoffenheim in the Champions League play-off in midweek.

Lovren gave the ball away prior to Mark Uth firing home and then found himself out-jumped by Sandro Wagner, who headed in a late consolation.

Outstanding going forward, Klopp’s side have looked suspect defensively so far this term, but Klopp says Lovren isn’t to blame.

“The first one, yes we could have cleared the situation,” he said.

“We had the ball but instead of hitting it to Manchester we left it open. It wasn’t easy to defend, it wasn’t a defensive mistake. It was more not doing the right thing in the right moment.

“For the other one, the ball was in the air and that’s why you have to avoid crosses. It was Wagner and (Adam) Szalai in front and in behind against Dejan Lovren. If anyone wants to say that all other defenders in the world would have won that challenge I can’t give them one minute of my time. That’s not right.

“We have to avoid the cross. Yes, it’s possible to win that challenge between the two strikers but it’s not really likely.

“I am fine with our defence, fine with our offence. We’ve won three out of four and we should have won the first one without a perfect performance. We work with the things we have and we work on the mistakes we make.”

Liverpool’s blistering front three of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah were lauded for their contribution against Hoffenheim, but Klopp believes the movement of midfield duo Emre Can and Gini Wijnaldum was just as crucial.

Can helped himself to two goals and Wijnaldum struck the post prior to Salah making it 2-0.

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“The biggest difference between Crystal Palace and Hoffenheim was that we had at least one No 8 or both of them in the box,” Klopp said.

“Goal one, Emre Can, I don’t think we had a similar situation in the Palace game. Second goal, Gini in the middle of the box and Mo Salah finished the job.

“Third goal, Emre at the back post after wonderful play. We know where we need to be and we have to go there. The timing is important.”

Having booked their place in the group stage of the Champions League, Klopp wants to ensure the Reds go into the international break on a high by beating Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday.

Liverpool did the double over the Gunners last term but Klopp is wary of the threat posed by Arsene Wenger’s men, who will welcome back Alexis Sanchez following an abdominal strain.

“Arsenal are still an outstandingly strong side,” he said.

“Obviously, Arsene loves what he’s doing and has all the energy he needs to still do it. The board at Arsenal think the same.

“He’s had an unbelievably successful time. There was the feeling a few people didn’t want him there any more but I don’t understand that. I really respect him a lot for everything he’s done in the past for Arsenal and for football in general.

“With Sanchez back that gives their team another boost. He isn’t fixed in one position – coming deep, half spaces, wing, centre. That makes it difficult. He’s a world class player.

“But if you concentrate too much on Sanchez then Ozil will show up, or Giroud, Lacazette, Walcott, Welbeck, Ramsey, Xhaka.....

“We don’t have to think too much about the quality of them. We have the tactical tools to make it more difficult for them and that’s the first job to do.”

Klopp insists it’s far too soon to predict whether Liverpool or Arsenal will be genuine title contenders this term, but he has called on supporters to help his side land an early blow against one of their rivals.

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He added: “In this moment it looks like Man United will be champions without conceding a goal. The rest is already decided.

“It’s really early in the season to think about something like this. Next week we have an international break and the players will go away all over the world. We will have had five very important games.

“Now it’s Arsenal – big experience, speed, technical ability, different systems, good players in each position. It’s never been easy for us against Arsenal since I’ve been here.

“The atmosphere we had on Wednesday night, we want the same again on Sunday afternoon. It’s a very special game against a top team.

“We need the help of the crowd again. It was really good against Hoffenheim but it can still be better. Let’s work even better together and make it really difficult for teams to get anything here.”