Liverpool were hoping to have former Southampton defender Dejan Lovren available for selection for this weekend’s game against the Saints but Jurgen Klopp has ruled him out of contention.
Twitter: Klopp on Lovren: “Dejan is close and looks really fit. He’s not in the squad for #LIVSOU.”
https://t.co/2ELPLS2IuN (@LFC)
In truth, even if he was fit, Lovren would have been very unlikely to start the game against Mark Hughes’ side as Joe Gomez and another ex-Saint, Virgil van Dijk, have formed a formidable partnership in his absence.
However, Lovren could have battled Joel Matip for a place on the substitutes bench, but that will not be the case.
Lovren returned from the World Cup with an injury to his abdomen and he’s not been part of a single Liverpool matchday squad this season.
Klopp revealed that the Croatian international is close to a return to fitness, so there could be a chance of him appearing when Liverpool host Chelsea in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening.
