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Liverpool's Dejan Lovren Names The Five Best Defenders, Mentions Sergio Ramos

Liverpool's Dejan Lovren Names The Five Best Defenders, Mentions Sergio Ramos

He's picked himself, too.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Liverpool and Croatia centre-back Dejan Lovren has doubled down on his statement that he is one of the best defenders in the world.

During this summer's World Cup Lovren sent football fans into a spiral, some expressing shock, others doubled over in laughter following his comments after helping knock England out in the semi-final.

"It's something special for me," Lovren told beIN Sports. "From my point of view, people were saying I had a difficult season but I don't agree with that.

"I showed that I took Liverpool to the Champions League final and now with my national team we are in the final.

"I think people should recognise that I'm one of the best defenders in the world and not just talk nonsense I will say," reported Sky Sports.

The 29-year-old helped Liverpool to their first Champions League final since 2007, and Croatia to their first ever World Cup final, however, he subsequently lost on both occasions.

In an interview with COPA90 Lovren defended his comments, "I said one of the best defenders, and I think I didn't say anything wrong."

He then went on to name his top five defenders as Virgil Van Dijk, Thiago Silva, Sergio Ramos, Rafaël Varane and himself.

"Virgil I would say, we had a great season, last season, me and him. We reached the final of the Champions League.

"I would say Varane. I like Varane, he deserves a lot of credit, but I think he doesn't get it as much as Ramos gets it and I don't agree with that.

"Is Varane better than Ramos? Definitely. I think in this moment and in previous years. He won the Champions League he won the World Cup. So he should be voted the best defender in the world. I think they chose Ramos (at the FIFA Best awards) but that's a decision that you cannot change.

"Then I would always consider Thiago Silva. He's really good, experienced, he's not so tall but he jumps quite high, he is strong."

Lovren has only recently somewhat established himself in Liverpool's starting 11 this season. Following the World Cup he was side-lined for the first seven games of the season due to niggling injuries but has now played 90 minutes alongside Van Dijk in the last three.

While football fans will continue to debate Lovren's footballing ability and controversial statements, let us know your top five defenders in the comments below.

Words by George Buksmann.

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Topics: Liverpool, Football News, Dejan Lovren, Sergio Ramos, Football