Klopp Hails ‘Liverpool Legend’ Defender After Selling Him For $14M During Ongoing Transfer Window

Liverpool FC boss Jurgen Klopp has hailed 'legend' Dejan Lovren, who has joined Russia’s Zenit St. Petersburg in the ongoing summer transfer window.

Lovren, who moved from Southampton to Liverpool in 2014, made 185 appearances for The Reds and left the Anfield side as a Premier League, Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, and UEFA Super Cup winner.

Despite making 15 appearances for Liverpool this season, it is understood that Liverpool earned $14 million from the Croatian’s transfer.

Speaking to Liverpool’s official website, Klopp termed Lovren as a "very important part of the team since he took charge."

"Another Liverpool legend who leaves the club, because he was absolutely a very, very important part of this team from the first day since I was in. I remember when we played with Dortmund against Liverpool in the pre-season friendly and Dejan scored with a header with incredible power. That was the image I had in my mind when I came here and I thought about the defenders we had at the time. He played super games and scored one of the most important goals of our history in the 4-3 against Borussia Dortmund; a really wonderful moment to share," said Klopp in the interview.

Recalling the Tottenham game when he was forced to substitute Lovren in the first half for performing terribly, Klopp said the defender always came back stronger.

"He had so many good games. Yes, I think he will not like the Tottenham game when I took him off in the first half, but it is part of football and part of development – and he always came back. When he was fit, he was very, very, very often in the team. A great player and a great person," added Klopp in the same interview.

Apart from being a vital member of the Reds squad, Lovren had struck a great bond with the 'Egyptian King' Mohamed Salah. Klopp also told Liverpool’s website that when Lovren’s exit news got official, everyone joked about "Who is now the best friend of Mo?"

"Who is now the best friend of Mo?" because they were really real, real bezzies. They were really close and that’s the thing, we will miss him. He is a model athlete, has everything you need and now he goes to Russia, but he can come back always – he will be always welcome because he is a really nice guy," Klopp added further in the interview.