Jurgen Klopp congratulates Wycombe’s Akinfenwa on WhatsApp
Liverpool have been tipped to replace Dejan Lovren with the defender already looking likely to leave the club this summer. Jurgen Klopp was insistent that the Croatian remains part of his plans and dismissed talk that he could depart Anfield in the coming months.
Liverpool have been backed to sign a defender by Paul Robinson (Image: GETTY)
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson believes Liverpool will finally part company with the centre-back this summer and bring new blood through the door.
“I think they will replace him,” he told Football Insider.
“Joe Gomez has come on leaps and bounds with Van Dijk next to him and Joel Matip looked a good player in the early part of the season.
“Lovren has had some very good performances next to van Dijk but if he is to leave Liverpool will strengthen.
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
“Lovren has played a fair chunk of the games this year so if they are to lose him they will need to replace him.”
Zenit have this week shown an interest in signing the World Cup finalist.
Lovren has just one year remaining on his current deal but the Reds do have the option to trigger an additional 12 months.
When asked about the interest, Klopp made it clear to Lovren there is still a role for him to play for Liverpool.
Dejan Lovren could finally be set to leave Liverpool (Image: GETTY)
“He has been injured a couple of times (this season) and wasn’t available but Dejan played outstanding games for us,” said the German.
“He is a very important part of the squad. We have four centre-halves and we play usually with two of them, but we have needed all four always.
“Dejan has a very important role for us. He has played in a Champions League final, in a lot of big games, he is a very reliable player.
“There is a value to his experience, absolutely. Since I’ve been in here, Dejan was always either in the team, close to the team or not available. There was never anything else, we have never had any problems.
“There is nothing to discuss in public about his contract situation. The situation is absolutely clear – Dejan is a player of LFC and we need him. You need the quality we have at centre-half to be successful.”
This article contains affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission on any sales of products or services we write about. This article was written completely independently, see more details here