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Dejan Lovren has admitted he is unhappy with his current situation at Liverpool but said he understands the club's decision to reject a loan move in the transfer window.

The Croatia international was the subject of firm interest from both AC Milan and Roma last month and left out of the Reds' squad that travelled to Turkey for the Super Cup as speculation over his future intensified.

However, the Reds walked away from the negotiating table after becoming frustrated with Roma's attempts to snare the World Cup finalist on a cut-price deal.

Liverpool felt the Giallorossi were attempting to unsettle Lovren in their aims of securing him on loan after the Reds had set an asking price of €15million (£13.9m) plus bonuses for the experienced centre-back.

Lovren has since stayed put on Merseyside following the closure of the European transfer windows and will remain a Reds player until January at the very earliest.

In a revealing chat with Sportske Novosti in his homeland, Lovren has opened up on his feelings about the failure to land the move and said he accepts the stance from Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.

Lovren also revealed that his manager has since spoken to him about the failed transfer and re-assured him that he is needed at Anfield this season.

He said: "Yes, I did consider the move, I knew I gave my best for Liverpool and won the Champions League, and I am not kind of player that likes to be benched and earn money.

"Yes, some people around me advised me 'what do you care, you are in big club, shut up and take the money', but I am not happy sitting on the bench.

"Milan contacted me but Roma was most persistent, but the negotiations didn't go well. I don't want to go somewhere and prove someone who I am and how do I play and am I ready or not.

"I am a professional, I have won the Champions League, won a World Cup silver medal, I achieved big things in football and don't deserve to go anywhere on loan and to have someone checking me and my quality.

"I feel very happy because all the time I felt Liverpool was by me, and I respect that a lot. Klopp told me: 'Listen, buddy, you are top-class player, we will not let you go on loan. We need you'.

"Yes, when he told me that, it was unclear to me because I know currently I am in worst position of all centre-backs in the team. But there will be a lot of matches, some injuries are possible too... I wanted to leave, it didn't happen, I was told Liverpool needs me and I accepted that. It was not meant to be for me to leave.

"Last week I spoke to Klopp again, he told me he understands me, knows I am not happy, but he also said: 'Look, now it is finished, I want you to reset your head, I find you important'.

"I feel I am in my prime age, in great shape, mentally ready and you can not buy experience. Not many players have played in the World Cup final and Champions League final as me.

"That is why Liverpool wouldn't let me go on loan. You have to pay to get quality and not go somewhere and prove something to someone."

(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

The 30-year-old explained that he was relieved to see the transfer window close after seeing his future speculated on daily in the media.

However, Lovren conceded that he returned to Melwood last year "worn out" after helping both his club and country to the finals of the Champions League and World Cup.

As a result, a number of injuries took their toll on Lovren, who was restricted to just 14 starts last term.

"I feel relief after transfer window is closed," he added. "I got tired of reading and listening every day about me leaving or staying in Liverpool. Everyone wrote 'Dejan is here, Dejan is there', and knew nothing! It annoyed me, I got headache because of it throughout Summer.

"I didn't want to force my way out from Liverpool. Two years ago I signed four-year contract, enjoyed every moment in Liverpool, achieved big things and that could not be possible had I not been in such big club as Liverpool.

"We played in the Champions League final twice, won one and I enjoyed the coach's trust. But after World Cup I cracked! Both physically and mentally. The best way to say it is: I was worn out.

"I didn't feel such passion, tension as before and after three or four months I got injured too. As I returned, Klopp didn't like some things and I understand that. I arrived to the training camp injured [from the World Cup], although I didn't know I was injured.

"I knew there were some problems, but I believed I'd solve them as usual. I had put up with pain until I just couldn't any more. And as I returned from injury, it was hard to get in the team that was in winning streak.

"The coach saw that didn't need me that much, I played some matches but I wasn't happy.

"I accepted my position, talked to the coach several times, talked about the season ahead of us (this season), and Klopp made it very clear. He told me I could leave if I find new club and if I want to leave. But he also told me he and Liverpool need me."

Lovren is currently with Croatia for their upcoming Euro 2020 qualifiers against Slovakia and Azerbaijan.