Dejan Lovren could leave Liverpool next summer but Naby Keita is expected to star

Dejan Lovren was handed a rare start this season in the Carabao Cup clash against MK Dons.

The Croatian looked a bit rusty in the game but made some great blocks and tackles to hand us a clean sheet.

The 30-year-old was heavily linked with a move to the Serie A in the summer but stayed put (h/t Calciomercato).

However, James Pearce of the Athletic believes that Lovren could be on the move if the situation doesn’t change.

The journalist was asked during a Q+A session about Liverpool replacing either Joe Gomez and Lovren, and Pearce suggested that the Croatian could leave in the summer (h/t Athletic):

“In terms of replacing anyone, Gomez is going nowhere. He’s a class act. If Lovren remains as fourth choice CB then I’d expect him to move on next summer.”

Lovren has had a tough time with injuries over the past 18 months or so. The Croatian hasn’t been helped by Joe Gomez and Joel Matip’s form either.

Good news on Keita’s front

Naby Keita was another player who started in the win over the Dons in midweek, and the Guinea midfielder looked decent in his 60-minute performance.

The 24-year-old has struggled with several injuries too, but the club have a lot of faith in his abilities, according to Pearce:

“In terms of Keita, Klopp and LFC still have huge faith in him to deliver. They believe he’s been very unlucky with some of the injury setbacks he’s endured. They also believe he’s more settled now and that should help him kick on over the coming months.”

Keita should have played more games for us in the previous season too, however, injuries scuppered his progression under Klopp.

The Guinean was one of the best midfielders in the Bundesliga before moving to Liverpool and has time on his hands to prove the doubters wrong.

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However, there is added competition for places with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s return, and it will be interesting to see how things develop with the former RB Leipzig man.