Enough is enough – Klopp must immediately offload Klavan and Lovren from the team
Liverpool reached the Champions League final last night after overcoming Roma 7-6 on aggregate. The Reds’ three-goal advantage from the 5-2 win at home put them in a commanding position for the return in Italy, but they had to battle their way into the Champions League finale.
Roma managed to score twice on the night and after the break, it looked like the Serie A club were about to mount another historic comeback. And the Liverpool defenders endured a tough time against Roma. Dejan Lovren, in particular, was bullied on a number of times by Eden Dzeko.
Lovren’s unsettled nature and shakiness were exploited by the Italian club and although they won the second leg, Eusebio De Francesco’s men were unlucky to not progress to the Champions League final.
Liverpool’s defence has long been their biggest question mark. Jurgen Klopp broke the bank in the winter transfer window to sign Virgil van Dijk from Southampton. Since his arrival, Van Dijk has been one of Liverpool’s best performers, helping curb out basic flaws in defence.
However, Van Dijk’s central defensive partners have struggled massively. While Lovren has looked decent alongside Van Dijk, there is a case to suggest he needs to be dropped from the team. But who will take the Croat’s place if he is dropped?
Joel Matip has been ruled out of the season, while Joe Gomez has been used at right-back this season. Ragnar Klavan has been on the fringes due to injury problems. While he is on the field, the Estonian has not inspired confidence and has not looked in good shape since coming back from the illness he suffered.
Despite being experienced centre-halves, Lovren and Klavan are simply not Liverpool material. Klopp plays an attractive and expansive brand of football which sees the attackers often hog the limelight but how many times have the Liverpool defenders created headlines? You have to rack your brains to come up with an answer.
While Van Dijk has settled well and strengthened the defence, Klopp must bring in a couple of central defenders in the summer. Lovren and Klavan are decent defenders but they are highly unpredictable. That said, it is time for Klopp to offload both the central defenders at the end of the season.