Player Focus: Lovren Must Defy Critics to Secure Liverpool Starting Berth
A 2-1 defeat at home to Crystal Palace prior to the international break was Jurgen Klopp’s first following his appointment as Liverpool manager. It appears as though the honeymoon period - unbeaten in 6 to that point - is over for the German boss, who now has his work cut out if he is to manage the Reds to a top four finish this season. Of course, injury to Mamadou Sakho in the loss to the Eagles will have come as a blow to Klopp’s quest to re-establish Liverpool as one of England’s finest.
The Frenchman has started all but one of the seven games Klopp has taken charge of since his appointment, sitting out the 1-0 Capital One Cup win over Bournemouth last month. However, a knee problem sustained against Palace is expected rule him out for at least two months. His absence comes as a blow to Liverpool, particularly with the hectic festive period rapidly approaching, but it gives Dejan Lovren the opportunity to defy his critics stake a claim for a regular starting spot.
The thought of the former Saints man stepping back into the Liverpool side has been enough to strike fear into the hearts of some supporters. After a successful debut campaign in England with Southampton, the Reds set about poaching Saints’ best players, with Lovren top of the wish list. The Croatia international gained a better WhoScored rating (7.32) than any other player for the south coast club in his one and only season at St. Mary's, prompting Liverpool to spend big to take him to Anfield.
However, any semblance of form went out the window as the centre-back struggled in his first season on Merseyside. At Saints, Lovren was afforded the luxury of playing alongside the vastly experienced Jose Fonte. The Portuguese defender's composure helped his former teammate through games, thus helping his stock rise. Yet, without that sense of calm alongside him, Lovren has struggled to replicate his form at Anfield. A lack of investment at the heart of the defence was something of a shock given the Reds' problems at the back the previous season.
48 goals conceded was the worst of all teams to secure a top-6 finish in the Premier League last season. Meanwhile, since the start of last term, only Gareth Barry (9) has committed more errors that resulted in an opposition shot of outfielders than Lovren (7) in England’s top tier. The sense of panic in Liverpool's defence is certainly cause for concern when the Croatian plays and it’s perhaps no coincidence that he has started only two of the seven competitive fixtures that Klopp has overseen since his appointment.
A strong showing in Liverpool’s 1-0 Europa League win in Rubin Kazan prior to the international break, though, would certainly have weighed heavily in Lovren’s favour. Only Jordon Ibe (8.89) and Roberto Firmino (7.47) gained a better WhoScored rating than Lovren (7.45) of Liverpool players in the victory in Russia. A solid performance in the cup win over Bournemouth further strengthened his cause, while a commendable outing as Sakho’s replacement against Palace, where he gained a rating of 7.11, will also have done his reputation in the eyes of his new manager no harm.
The hope now for the defender is that Klopp can place his trust in him in more high-profile fixtures. On his day, Lovren is capable of churning out performances worthy of the hefty fee Liverpool paid to secure his services, however these have been few and far between over the last 18 months. A lack of concentration and a desire to constantly carry the ball out from the back despite really possessing the quality to do so, rather than opting for a simple option, means he sends many a fans’ heartbeat racing whenever he is in possession. A prime example came in the 3-0 defeat to West Ham back in August, when Lovren was at fault for Mark Noble’s first half goal.
Yet a man of the match showing in the opening weekend 1-0 win at Stoke shows he’s a defender still capable of churning out a quality performance as and when it’s necessary, despite becoming something of a laughing stock on Merseyside. WhoScored strengths of ‘passing’ and ‘ball interception’ are both traits Klopp can utilise in his famed ‘Gegenpressen’ system. The ability to step out from the back to cut out a pass and play the ball forward improves the club’s chances of initiating swift counter attacks, a benchmark of a Klopp side.
However, it’s vital Lovren adhere to the strict demands of his new manager if he is to grasp the opportunity to cement a regular starting spot. A lack of serenity at the heart of the Liverpool defence has certainly hindered his development, though he needs to push on now if he is win over Klopp and the jury that is the Liverpool fanbase. Shutting out the Manchester City attack on Saturday would respresent a good place to start.
Do you think Dejan Lovren has what it takes to cement a starting spot for Liverpool? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
