Liverpool Ready Extended Terms For Lovren

Something was off in the room during the first round of Liverpool’s contract discussions with Dejan Lovren. Nothing materialized from them and, after some handshakes and verbal commitments to revisit proceedings in the future, the negotiations were put aside. But the air has cleared now and the bocote conference room table at Liverpool Headquarters glistens in anticipation of fresh terms agreed.

The club are said to be actively engaging Lovren and his agent over extending the player’s contract beyond it’s current run. Lovren is signed on until 2019 on a five-year deal that began under Brendan Rodgers. And while many have questions over the Croatian defender’s ability to anchor a team with Premier League and European ambitions, there’s plenty of good evidence out there to see why the club would want to keep Dejan Lovren on the books.

Lovren is 27 years old. As a defender, he should have many years left to play. And these next several seasons are likely to be his best. He’s worked under Jürgen Klopp extensively now, understands the deal. And whether or not he suits Klopp’s style of play, Lovren does seem to be fully engrossed in it. That’s worth a drop or two in the bucket.

Another center back will be brought into the club this summer. Absolutely. Lucas Leiva is our fourth choice when they’re all fit, occasional third choice. That’s madness, regardless of Lucas being so perfectly Lucas all the time. And the position vacated by the unfortunate Mamadou Sakho way back when will be filled by a big player. A player to push Dejan Lovren. (Not literally, of course. I see how that sounds)

If Liverpool can manage a top four finish this season the pool of potential recruits will grow with the lure of Champions League football. But Klopp has been in this league long enough to know what manner of defending it requires and will have his eye on one or two targets already. After all, Joël Matip didn’t show up to a team playing in Europe. He showed up to a Liverpool team on a slow, determined climb under the tutelage of an excellent, young manager on a steady ascendancy to greatness. And he’s THE Joël Matip.

Dejan Lovren is a talented defender who has excelled at times at Liverpool with Jürgen Klopp. And has looked his sharpest when alongside Matip in the back. That partnership has been a rarity though with injuries and suspensions and what have you, but it’s got promise. And it’s no surprise that Liverpool will be hoping to convince Lovren to extend his contract and continue contributing to the great and glorious revival.