According to a recent report by Gazzetta dello Sport (via Football Italia and the Daily Mail), Liverpool have declined an improved loan offer for their Croatian centre-half Dejan Lovren.
The same source has also claimed that the Italian outfit made a loan bid with an option to buy him permanently next summer but only if he was able to make a certain number of appearances while on loan at Stadio Olimpico this season. However, the Reds have rejected Roma’s advances for their prized asset ahead of their trip to Burnley on Saturday.
Lovren’s Successful Spell At Anfield
The Croatia international has been a vital member of the Liverpool backline over the past few campaigns. The 30-year-old managed to lift the UEFA Champions League with the Merseyside giants last season which was the pinnacle of his playing career.
Lovren featured in a total of 18 matches for Jurgen Klopp’s team in the previous term, registering one goal while creating one assist on all fronts. Injuries have hampered his career of late, and there remains a cause for concern over his fitness. Klopp will need to have a strong squad of players if his side is to compete across five different competitions this term.
Lovren had another strong season defensively in the 2018-19 campaign when he averaged 1.2 tackles, 0.8 interceptions and 3.9 clearances per game in the English top-flight (stats via whoscored). He has also played for Croatia in 53 international matches and has found the back of the net twice for his country in the process.
Should The Reds Retain Lovren’s Services Beyond This Summer?
The former Southampton defender made a slow start to life at Merseyside but has managed to transform himself into a dominant presence at the heart of Klopp’s backline. At 30, Lovren still has a few years left in him and can still do a decent job with Virgil Van Dijk as his centre-back partner. However, the 2018 FIFA World Cup finalist is no longer guaranteed a regular first-team berth at Merseyside and has fallen behind the likes of Joel Matip and Joe Gomez in the Anfield pecking order.
Even then, the Croat still has a lot to offer on the field so Liverpool should consider keeping him at Melwood for at least another season so that they can challenge for all five possible trophies during this campaign.
