Danny Ings defends "fantastic" Dejan Lovren

Danny Ings has insisted that Dejan Lovren is a "great asset" to Liverpool after the defender came in for criticism in recent days.

Lovren was in the spotlight after his poor performance in the 3-0 loss to West Ham United last weekend, but Ings claims that the Croatian will not lose the support of his teammates.

"It's always hard for defenders," he told the club's website. "For example, if myself as a striker miss a sitter, it gets forgotten about, but as a defender you get punished a little bit more from the press and people like that.

"Dejan is a fantastic player and a great asset to the football club.

"He's a great man off the pitch as well so we've always got our arm around players who mistakes, but it was a team performance at the end of the day, it wasn't just Dejan."

Liverpool return to action against Manchester United at Old Trafford next Saturday.