Lovren: Liverpool must play clever, but Klopp makes us believe

Dejan Lovren, Jurgen Klopp

Dejan Lovren says Liverpool need another brilliant European performance in front of their own fans if they are to see off Villarreal and reach the Europa League final.

The Reds trail the Spaniards 1-0 after the first leg in Spain last week and Lovren admits they must start better than they did against Borussia Dortmund in their last European match at Anfield.

“I hope we will not start like we did against Dortmund,” Lovren told a press conference to preview the game. “We were 2-0 down then 3-1. It was an historic game for us and for the fans. We showed our character and we will never stop believing.

“We don’t want to repeat this game. We want it to go smoothly.

“I will remember it for my lifetime.”

Lovren admits he’s never seen or heard anything like the atmosphere created by the fans at Anfield that night against Dortmund and he insists they can play their part again.

“I was surprised, I took some pictures on the bus,” he added. “It was amazing. The fans are our 12th player.

Lovren, however, warned: “We need to be clever enough. Everything is possible. The fans, they are expecting a massive game, but we will take it smarter than the last time.

“It will be a great season if we can go to the final and win it.”

Lovren insists that it’s not just the Anfield faithful that gives Liverpool a chance – he always feel manager Jurgen Klopp’s positive energy also gives them a chance.

“Jurgen is a big manager; Klopp jumps in tall! He’s brought a positive energy into this club. He’s turned us from doubters into believers.

“Even in 2005, the fans know that with Liverpool everything is possble. We have great characters in the team.

“I think it won’t be the same against Dortmund. I think they were one of the best teams in the Europa League.

“Villarreal are a really good, compact team and a really good counter-attacking team.”

On the possibility of reaching the final, Lovren added: “It would be a dream for me and for the fans. We could save this season with a final but we have to play Villarreal. It’s a big step.”