DEJAN LOVREN HAS signed a new four-year deal at Liverpool worth just under €120,000 a week, with the club possessing the option of an extra 12 months.
The centre-back follows Philippe Coutinho, Joe Gomez and Adam Lallana in extending his contract with the Merseysiders, with his previous terms up in 2019.
Having navigated a turbulent start since his switch from Southampton in the summer of 2014, and surpassing a century of appearances for the Reds, Lovren stated his intention to lengthen his commitment earlier this month.
Upon penning the fresh proposal, he told Liverpool’s official website: “I think this is one special day for me and my family.
“I think I am the happiest guy [in the world] today, it’s another dream come true. It was always my dream to stay as long as possible at one club that I love – and that is Liverpool.
“After all that happened in the beginning, in the last two seasons I think I’ve done better than in the first season. The club has rewarded me, they believed in me and also the fans, and this is what I respect a lot after everything that happened.
“I am pleased with everything and I just want to stay here as long as possible and be a part of this family for many, many years to come.”
Klopp added: “He is an outstanding defender and someone who, I believe, still has his best times to come as a player. He has all the assets a top centre-half needs in the modern game.”
Lovren, who endured a torrid evening in the 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend, has struggled with various injuries this season.
An eye issue was followed by problems with his back, groin, hamstring and knee.
The 27-year-old’s preferred partner at the heart of defence, Joel Matip, has also dealt with a series of setbacks with Jurgen Klopp only able to field them both from the start in 14 league games this season.
The result at home to Palace was the first time Liverpool had suffered a top-flight loss with the duo operating in tandem.
While the pair have shown obvious signs of a strong partnership, Klopp hasn’t been able to bank on their availability. The Reds boss is in the market for a top centre-back with Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk a leading candidate, while Kalidou Koulibaly of Napoli is an alternative option.
Meanwhile, findings have suggested Mamadou Sakho’s knee injury is not as bad as feared.
The Liverpool defender, on loan at Palace, has not suffered ACL damage, but is understood to have strained or bruised ligaments following his awkward fall after challenging Tottenham striker Harry Kane on Wednesday.
Sakho is not expected to feature again this season, but the hopeful timeframe is that he will be sidelined for a month.
Defoe will run riot up there
@Blackie Connors: how can he run riot from the bench?
@Blackie Connors: Not Sure , Celtic still 1/5 to win the league . He is 36 BTW and scored feck all in the last few years.
@Blackie Connors: Rangers are going to go broke again at this rate.
The desperation to stop 8 in a row continues.
This should be a good signing for Rangers. He’s more than good enough for Scotland.
@Stephen Foster: yeah he’s so good for Scottish football that he will mostly sit on the bench.
We heard this before about Championship POTY joey Barton, Bruno Alves, Niko Krancjar the list could go on. They were going to boss Scottish football and all failed miserably.
@Ciaran Rice: Defoe is different quality to them players mentioned.
@irishoverseas: again, the list isn’t exhaustive.
if he’s different quality then why will he be on the bench? Defoe is 36 and has been bought to replace Lafferty as a more effective option off the bench.
@Ciaran Rice: how do you know he’s gonna be on the bench ?
@irishoverseas: Stephen Gerrards Rangers play 433 with one central striker flanked by two wingers to support attacks. He isn’t taking the place of their best player who has scored 20 goals this season. He isn’t a winger either. To play Defoe and Morelos would mean a complete change to their formation and system. I don’t see that happening.
The Rangers problem is that Morelos is the only one that scores goals and when he doesn’t play they struggle to score. Lafferty is not trusted by Gerrard and rarely gets off the bench. Defoe has clearly been brought in as an option off the bench or to replace Morelos when he is inevitably suspended or picks up an injury.
@Ciaran Rice: so sounds like a great signing then. If you need a goal in the last 30 mins not many are as great a Defoe. Id say ever club in Scotland would take him.
@irishoverseas: as I said. It might turn out to be a decent option off the bench but like the other English Journeymen who have come to the SPFL he may well be a flop.
If Celtic had signed Defoe I would be feckin livid. I also think Motherwell signing Ross McCormack is a better piece of business.
@Ciaran Rice: so when Celtic signed journey men like Robbie Keane and Craig Bellamy were you not happy or excited?
@Ciaran Rice: also Ross McCormack is joke very unprofessional look at his time at Villa
@irishoverseas: Robbie Keane and Craig Bellamy were 29 and 26 years old when they played for Celtic. Celtic didn’t win the league those years either.
@irishoverseas: look at Defoe’s time at Bournemouth. Barely kicked a ball in a year and is 36. McCormack is 30 I think and is going to a side to be a starter and who are in need of goals. He could be their answer.
Tends to score on his debut. If he gets game time he’ll do well over there.
Might be a decent option to come off the bench for The Rangers to give Morelos a rest or they are expecting to sell Morelos in this window and don’t want to have to rely on Lafferty as their main striker.
@Ciaran Rice: or just fill in when he is suspended if he ever gets one again
There are those who will say he is well past it but Ian Wright was the same age when he went to Celtic and look how that wen… Oh wait a minute. There have too many players well past their best who presume Scotland will be like shooting fish in a barrel but it does not always work out like that.
@Patrick Ryan: I had blocked Ian Wright’s signing from my memory. Was beyond woeful at Celtic.
@Ciaran Rice: Remember Dion Dublin’s 5 month spell in ’06 as Chris Sutton temp replacement.. :)
@Andy Mahony: Dublins spell was much better than Ian Wright’s. Wright was god awful. Dublin could at least come on and help see a game out and chip in with the odd goal.
Great signing. Not many managers would attracted him up there
Don’t be surprised if Moreles sold after this signing. Rangers still in desperate need of cash.
Stupid Article , Says this “Celtic, clear of Gerrard’s side at the top of the table only on goal difference, for the title.” Mentions Goal Difference and leaves out the fact Celtic have a game in hand,,,,,,,,,,,