Former Liverpool centre-back Jamie Carragher has urged the club to stand by "excellent" Dejan Lovren in order to get the best out of him.

The 25-year-old became the Reds' most expensive defender when he joined from Southampton for £20m in the summer, although he has struggled to find any form during his short spell at Anfield.

Despite this, Carragher insists that Lovren simply needs more time to get accustomed to the club's style of play before thriving once more.

"I thought he was excellent for Southampton last season and that is the reason Liverpool bought him but every manager has a different way of doing things," the former England international is quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.

"Liverpool's full-backs are more offensive and so are going to leave you more exposed, that could be something to look at because Brendan Rodgers likes his full-backs to get forward.

"But when you pay that much money for a centre-back you have to persist with it and get him through it. Get Lovren to learn your values but it is also about getting to know him and playing to his strengths and weaknesses."

Lovren has played in all of Liverpool's Premier League games so far this season.