OPINION
It was clear as day that Dejan Lovren’s days at Liverpool were numbered heading into the summer transfer market but with just days to go until the European window slams shut, the Croatian remains at Anfield.
The 30-year-old has been a loyal servant to Jurgen Klopp during his time on Merseyside but 18 appearances across all competitions is not what a 53-cap international is looking for heading into the latter stages of his career.
He no doubt wants to be playing regular first-team football at a competitive level, which is why a move to Serie A giants AS Roma seemed like the ideal switch for him this summer.
Corriere Dello Sport reported that that the side based in Italy’s capital were readying a loan bid to secure his capture, while Croatian outlet Sportske Novosti suggested that a move was only days away as the Reds ironed out the last details of a loan-to-buy switch.
Unfortunately for Lovren, it appears he is destined to remain in limbo at Liverpool until January at the earliest, with Sky Sports Italy claiming that Manchester United defender Chris Smalling is on the brink of moving to Rome on a loan move.
The report states that United had wanted a loan-to-buy deal – much like what Liverpool were reportedly after – but that it will be a straight loan, Roma said to have seen their efforts to sign Lovren fall through.
With little time before Monday’s European transfer deadline, it leaves the Croatian international facing the prospect of being stuck between the first-team and the reserves at Anfield – quite possibly the last thing he wanted heading into the summer.
He has not appeared in a single matchday squad this season and barring a notable injury to one of Jurgen Klopp’s preferred starters or bench options, he is unlikely to feature any time soon.
Yes, he might be called as backup when the fixture list starts to intensify but for a man who has World Cup and Champions League finals under his belt, is a League Cup third-round tie really going to leave him motivated.
Lovren will hold no ill-will towards Smalling – other than being a player at one of his club’s fiercest rivals of course – but he will be feeling as though it should be him making the move to Italy.
