Dejan Lovren

[Rich]

Fair play, he's stepped it up. Still had that mad rush out once or twice but he's getting better.

[Irishnev]

Just got a glowing report from Carra on Monday night football.

[danperkins]

Another good game, credit where it is due. Well done and keep it up

[Buzzo]

He was better.

I thought he looked uncertain first half, and a bit rash (I was analysing his every touch ) but barring the odd moment, he grew into the game, and made a few great moves and decisions.

Having Lucas drop in to play the out ball was reassuring for both Lovren and Skrtel.

[baitman]

just less bad... getting better but still some way to go until i dont take a gasp of breath as he closes on a defender.

[badpiggy]

He was taking up a good line with Gomez and Clyne for playing Arsenal offside. Clyne and Gomez seem to get this instinctively. It's Skrtel who seems to be a meter or two behind the others that causes problems.

[BigChief]

He was taking up a good line with Gomez and Clyne for playing Arsenal offside. Clyne and Gomez seem to get this instinctively. It's Skrtel who seems to be a meter or two behind the others that causes problems.

I was thinking that, Gomez and Clyne being 'seasoned' defenders seem to know what to do as a defender. Skrtel will learn quickly with Lovren's guidance.

I'm going to sleep hoping I didn't type that out loud.

[Shaggy]

Yep getting better. This looks a good unit - definitely helps having Clyne and Gomez either side. Those two are ****ing ace.

[Fosterbloke]

Worth noting that it was Skrtel that kept Ramsey onside. Very lucky boy.

[McDermotX]

Worth noting that it was Skrtel that kept Ramsey onside. Very lucky boy.

To be fair, with the benefit of doubt, even Clyne could have been judged to have played him on as well.
It involved Clyne's one error for me, which was actually more of an annoyance than Skrtel and Clyne's position because even before the ball is played, you could see him take a look at the player, but he lost him immediately as the ball was played through.

We just got away with it....same as last week.

[Alex]

Is there an argument now that Lovren is playing alongside a Fullback he can trust, so doesnt need to worry about getting pulled all over one side of the pitch?

He was good last night, almost looks the player I thought we had signed. It cant just be as simple as fancying turning up now.

[baitman]

Is there an argument now that Lovren is playing alongside a Fullback he can trust, so doesnt need to worry about getting pulled all over one side of the pitch?

He was good last night, almost looks the player I thought we had signed. It cant just be as simple as fancying turning up now.

The main issue with lovren is the same (to a degree) as skrtel, they both see the danger and want to dive in and snuff it out.
If you have a reliable full back in defence and the full back gets beat then of the attacker brings the ball its easier for the centre back to step in and make the block.
If the full back is out of position (like johnson or moreno) then the need to step in happens earlier and often means the centre back now has to commit and is drawn out of position.
I dont mind our centre backs playing like this, so long as we have decent full backs who understand what defence is and also the two centre backs keep talking so they both dont dive in for the same ball if the action is through the centre.
A proper dm such as lucas will also mean the cb isnt over committed to comming out to intercept the first play, and they only have to come and dive in is the ball is played past the dm.

[Alex]

Thats what I mean. Lovren knows now that he can make these tackles and still be covered. Whereas last season he was maybe in two minds and ended up doing nothing.

No coincidence IMO now that he has Gomez next to him (Who has surprised me with how good he is) he has started playing and being way more solid.

[RichC]

I think it highlights the need to have a fully functional unit at the back.

Seemingly at the moment we've found a really good blend with the fullback additions which is allowing both CBs to concentrate on their main jobs and not ending up covering both fullback positions as well.

[Lecter]

Thats what I mean. Lovren knows now that he can make these tackles and still be covered. Whereas last season he was maybe in two minds and ended up doing nothing.

No coincidence IMO now that he has Gomez next to him (Who has surprised me with how good he is) he has started playing and being way more solid.

How much better would Sakho look with Gomez alongside him

That said that was Lovrens best game so far, he was exposed less than I thought he would be and it wasnt till Walcott and Chamberlain came on that I started to get nervy about him