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Just like that, Liverpool appear to have finally settled on a defender for the first time this summer, though it's not likely to be announced without a bit of concern about the cost. Brendan Rodgers has been pursuing Dejan Lovren for weeks, and while an initial bid was rejected in hopes of keeping the player around under new manager Ronald Koeman, the clubs have now agreed a fee with his medical set for tomorrow in Liverpool.
#LFC have agreed £20m deal for Lovren. Defender likely to have medical in Liverpool tomorrow.
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) July 25, 2014
With the news of deals for Divock Origi and Loic Remy earlier in the day--though Remy's has stalled--that swells Liverpool's summer dealings to seven players in total. Lovren will be competing directly with Martin Skrtel, Mamadou Sakho, and Daniel Agger for playing time, with Kolo Toure now some distance off as fourth choice and Sebastian Coates and Tiago Ilori likely to spend their time on loan.
Given that the medical takes place in Merseyside, any opportunities for Lovren as part of the US tour will have to come over the final two dates. That might mean a chance against Manchester City in New York or AC Milan in Charlotte, or, if there are any delays, time against Borussia Dortmund back at Anfield just a week before the Premier League season kicks off.
Against Southampton, of course, who've now sold Liverpool £50m worth of players that featured in a 1-0 win in this fixture last season.
