'Liverpool missed me more than I missed them when I left - Jurgen Klopp made that clear'

Dejan Lovren stunningly claimed that Liverpool missed him more than he did for them following his 2020 exit. The defender, who cost Liverpool £20million from Southampton back in 2014, set a record as the team's priciest defender at the time, a title he held until Virgil van Dijk's whopping £75m transfer four years later.

Lovren became an integral part of the squad even before Jurgen Klopp took the reins, starting off strongly under Brendan Rodgers and maintaining his place during the early Klopp era. Nevertheless, errors on the pitch and Van Dijk's arrival saw Lovren relegated to the sidelines, culminating in a mere 33 appearances over his last two seasons with the Reds.

Ultimately leapfrogged by Joe Gomez and Joel Matip in the defensive hierarchy, Lovren sought pastures new. The 35-year-old ended up moving to Zenit Saint Petersburg in a deal worth £10.9m right after Liverpool clinched the Premier League title.

Reflecting a year on from leaving Anfield, the seasoned Croatian centre-back declared his peace with the decision, noting no feelings of regret and suggesting Anfield felt his absence keenly. Speaking to Sport Express, he said: "No, I don't regret [leaving]. My decision in the summer was firm - to leave Liverpool, and I do not look back.", reports the Liverpool Echo.

He added: "I got upset last season when I didn't play, but now everything is different. I think Liverpool miss me more than I miss them and Jurgen Klopp knows this, because we communicate. He wrote recently: 'We miss you.' I spoke with Jurgen [after I left], but I will not disclose details. Jurgen said only good things and wished him luck."

Following Lovren's departure, Klopp penned a touching tribute to him, reflecting on his legendary contributions to Liverpool, as he wrote: "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." After a three-year stint in Russia, Lovren returned to Lyon, rekindling ties with the club after 13 years but spent just a season in France before signing for Greek club PAOK earlier this week.