Lovren signs new Liverpool deal
Defender Dejan Lovren has signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool.
The club announced the news on Friday morning as the centre-back approaches the end of his third season at Anfield.
Lovren moved from Southampton in 2014, making 105 appearances for the Reds since.
"This is one special day for me and my family," he said.
"I think I am the happiest guy (in the world) today, it's another dream come true. It was always my dream to stay as long as possible at one club that I love - and that is Liverpool."
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Page 2: 10:39Lovren has endured some difficult times since his arrival at Anfield. His first season was shaky as he settled in and there have been a number of ups and downs along the way but his improvement this season has been noticeable and he puts that down to manager Jurgen Klopp.
And he wants to repay the German by winning trophies in the future.
"We are not here just to play the games and to be in the middle of nowhere because of the quality of the team and a top manager, who won almost everything with Dortmund," he told liverpoolfc.com.
"When Jurgen came in, he changed me a lot. Not just me, he changed a lot of players with the mentality, working hard on the pitch, on the training ground and he is still fresh here because it's only a year and half, but everyone has seen the big difference.
"With his ideas and plans, and also with the club, it can be a positive thing in the end.
"Next season, we will again try to reach as many points as possible, but firstly to finish this season well and qualify for the Champions League."
A draw in Thursday's Manchester derby means Liverpool retain third place, one point ahead of City and two ahead of United, with both clubs having a match in hand.
However, with four matches remaining Lovren is confident they can achieve their aim of securing Champions League football.
"I would be stupid if I was to say we don't believe in this," he stated.
"We started the season so strong and we believed from day one in pre-season - and we are still believing.
"Unfortunately, we had some injuries and we were unlucky in those moments, but we still have a big squad with young talents.
"We will definitely fight in the last four games to take all 12 points.
"I always believe. I believe in the team and I believe in every single person who believes in us. This is the most important thing.
"I think we would deserve it at the end because of how well we've done for all of the season."
Klopp said tying Lovren to a new deal, which Press Association Sport understands is for another four years with the option of a further 12 months, was key to their future progress.
"Dejan is a big presence for us on the pitch and in the dressing room - this is wonderful news that he has committed to LFC for such a long time," he said.
"It is our intention to build this squad around the great talent we already have.
"We want to keep our core together. I am really pleased Dejan has become the latest to recognise that Liverpool is a place where players can achieve their dreams and goals.
"He is an outstanding defender and someone who, I believe, still has his best times to come as a player. He has all the assets a top centre-half needs in the modern game.
"He has already enjoyed some great moments at this club, but he, like all of us, is hungry to win trophies for LFC.
"I love this hunger and desire and look forward to seeing it translate to great performances for the team in the coming years."