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Dejan Lovren says he's not solely to blame for Liverpool trouble at the back

Dejan Lovren says it would be wrong to give him all the blame for Liverpool's defensive problems over the last 12 months.

The Croatia defender has acknowledged that he had a poor first season after moving to Anfield from Southampton for £20 million last July.

It was a fee that made him the most expensive centre-back in the Reds' history, and he faced heavy criticism as he struggled to settle in.

But the 26-year-old believes he did not deserve to be targeted by critics.

He told British newspapers: "I think it was a tough year for everyone at the club and the fans.

"I wasn't quiet last season, I just wanted to concentrate on myself. I knew what was happening with how I was playing was not right and I didn't want to speak about it.

"At Southampton, it was different. There was a good atmosphere and I was happy. If I am not playing well, I cannot be happy. I didn't pretend.

"But it is not Dejan Lovren-Liverpool, you know? I cannot defend all alone. It is 11 players. When we are good, everyone is good.

"When we are bad, everyone is bad, not just me. I think we need to look at this, not just put the pressure on me or point the finger. I don't agree with this.

"I know what the papers were writing about me. I don't want to have to listen to this again. We want to move on as a team. When we are better, it is because we will be doing well all together."