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Liverpool’s departing defender Dejan Lovren believes a special era is only just beginning for the club following its success of the last 14 months.

Under the guidance of Jürgen Klopp, The Reds have won the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and Premier League since June of last year.

Dejan Lovren, who has now officially signed for Russian side Zenit St. Petersburg, spoke to Liverpoolfc.com about his time at the club. When asked why, after losing to Real Madrid in the 2018 Champions League final in Kyiv, he was so convinced the club would taste success soon after, Lovren said:

“Because I’m still convinced it’s just the beginning of something big for the club. With the right manager and the right approach of the people behind the manager, all the club staff, and at the end the players, they are going in the right direction. I knew it straight away from that moment on that we are so strong that we can beat everyone. I wasn’t afraid to say that.”

Lovren went on to share his personal highlights from six years at the club.

“Many of them. I would say all the finals we played, even the lost finals, it was a big dream come true. Even when we missed [out] and there were tears and everything. Especially the moments against Dortmund, I think every supporter will never forget that. Nights like Barcelona, even Kyiv – though we lost it, that was the main part where we switched on another gear and then we made it next year in Madrid. And then especially all these trophies we won this year. And then the top of the [mountain] – the Premier League.”

The Croatia international also discussed the impact Klopp has had since his arrival at the club in October 2015.

“He changed our mentality, he changed our work ethic, he changed a lot. Not just football-wise; he also changed things around the club, he got the belief from the supporters and even in bad moments fans were sticking around always. It’s great to see that. I just cannot thank Jürgen enough for his support, he supported me not just in football, he supported me around my personal life. And I will never forget that. I had many problems and only he knew the problems. He was like a friend for me, like a dad, who I could come to and say all the problems. One day, we will look back and we can laugh all together and share good memories. This is what we’ll do.”

Farewell, Dejan. Best of luck at Zenit St. Petersburg!

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