OPINION
Dejan Lovren’s career has not gone from strength-to-strength since the Liverpool enforcer called himself one of the world’s best defenders after reaching the World Cup final with Croatia.
The 30-year-old defender has failed to cement his spot at the Reds under Jurgen Klopp and was used in a lesser role last season in all competitions after not grasping his opportunities with both hands.
Both Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk formed a solid partnership in defence, Lovren only managed to make 13 Premier League appearances.
Despite not being relatively convincing in the heart of the defence, Lovren is still attracting interest from Italy, with both AC Milan and Roma being classed with taking an interest, according to TuttoMercatoWeb.
Roma were reported by Gazzetta Dello Sport to hold a strong interest in the Croatian, who himself was quoted to have been open to a departure from Anfield, with a move to Italy looking more likely.
The Liverpool Echo have revealed that both Lovren and Simon Mignolet are likely to stay, despite the Croatians apparent urge to leave the club.
Either way, Liverpool must not stand in the way of Lovren, with Joe Gomez more than capable of stepping up to fill the void of back-up defender next season and for many more years.
Comparing the two via WhoScored, it only highlights that Klopp would be more than within his rights to allow Lovren to leave.
Gomez averaged more interceptions and was dribbled past fewer times last season, and despite Lovren outscoring him in other departments such as clearances and tackles – the difference wasn’t substantial and many would argue that at 22-years-old, the England international is more than ready to replace Lovren.
Liverpool must change their transfer stance on Lovren and show him the exit door, with the exit door surely the only possible outcome for the Croatian now.
