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Dejan Lovren believes Liverpool’s thrashing of Manchester City proved they can beat anyone in the Premier League as he insisted: “There’s so much potential in this squad.”

The Croatian centre-back says the resurgent Reds were indebted to a “perfect tactical plan” from Jurgen Klopp as they ran out emphatic 4-1 winners at the Etihad.

Liverpool sit ninth in the table but are just eight points adrift of surprise leaders Leicester City and Lovren is excited about what they could go on to achieve between now and May,

“It was an amazing game,” Lovren told the ECHO.

“I said before the game that I had a good feeling about this one. We had worked really hard together all week to prepare.

“We completely deserved the win and it could have been even bigger because we had so many chances.

“It was a great team effort and I think that’s the most important thing. I’m really satisfied with everyone’s performance.

“There is so much potential in this squad. We have so many quality players and we can beat anybody if we are 100% focused.

“We need to continue like this and keep our focus because we have so many games in front of us.”

Liverpool blew City away with three goals inside 33 minutes at the Etihad and Lovren admits Klopp’s game plan worked a treat as Manuel Pellegrini’s side simply weren’t allowed to settle.

The Reds won with a swagger as they demonstrated the tireless work ethic that the new boss has installed since his appointment last month.

“We knew how they like to play,” he said.

“We didn’t want to be deep in defence and just waiting to counter-attack. We wanted to attack them high up the pitch,

“It was the perfect tactical plan from the gaffer.

“We scored four goals and we must have had three or four other one on ones with their keeper.

“It was so intensive - up, down, up, down.

“What’s changed? We are working harder. We are running now more than ever, more than any other team in the Premier League.

“The gaffer has given us a lot of belief. On his first day he talked about having many non-believers around the club, but belief is growing.”

The £20million defender says the Reds were inspired by the vociferous support of the 3,000-strong travelling Kop at the Etihad.

Klopp and his players went across to celebrate with the away end after the final whistle.

“It was beautiful to hear them for the full 90 minutes,” Lovren said.

“I didn’t hear the fans of City at all.

“As a team, everyone is very united and our fans are right behind us - they are our 12th man.

“We want to be happy in front of the fans and it was a special win for us all because it was against City who were first in the table.”

Lovren rose to the challenge after being handed his first league start since September as he replaced the injured Mamadou Sakho.

“Of course it was great to play,” he said.

“I felt I did well but so did all the lads around me. It would be wrong to pick out any individuals as it was a real team win.

“We need to keep working hard and go step by step. We have to keep the confidence and the rhythm.”