LONDON • Dejan Lovren has criticised Ross Barkley for not apologising for his dangerous foul in the Merseyside derby and claimed injuries had cost Liverpool the chance to win the Premier League title.

The Croatian defender was on the receiving end of a dreadful challenge from the Everton midfielder on Saturday as Liverpool strengthened their Champions League claims with another comfortable win - 3-1 - against their local rivals at Anfield.

Barkley was booked by the referee, Anthony Taylor, over the tackle but could easily have seen red.

Lovren was more aggrieved by his opponent's reaction to the challenge than the foul itself.

The Liverpool centre-half said: "He didn't apologise and that is the only thing I do not like. If you make a hard challenge, then be open about it and say sorry or something like that. Don't talk to the referee and say it was not a foul. I think everyone saw it, especially me, but now it is over."

Lovren also claimed Liverpool would be top of the table but for injuries this season.

"If you don't have injuries, you will be in the place of (leaders) Chelsea," he said. "Chelsea have not had one injury... Sometimes you need to be lucky in football.

"Now we need to show our qualities against Bournemouth (tomorrow) and take as many points as possible. If you want to play in the Champions League, then you need to play like a Champions League team."

THE GUARDIAN