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Liverpool transfer news: Dejan Lovren ready to push for Italian escape after Norwich bench snub

Lovren has fallen down the pecking order at Anfield and wasn’t even named on the bench for Friday’s Premier League opener against Norwich City

Monday 12 August 2019 08:11 BST

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Transfer deadline day summer 2019: The deals done so far

Veteran defender Dejan Lovren has decided that his Liverpool career is over, according to reports.

The Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport have this morning reported that Lovren ‘considers his English cycle closed’.

The report adds that the 30-year-old World Cup finalist would even be willing to lower his wage demands in order to secure a move to a Serie A club.

Lovren has fallen down the pecking order at Anfield and wasn’t even named on the bench for Friday’s Premier League opener against Norwich City.

Joel Matip has overtaken him as Liverpool’s second starting centre-back alongside Virgil van Dijk, with Joe Gomez named as a substitute defender.

Liverpool vs Norwich player ratings

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1/22Liverpool vs Norwich player ratings

Liverpool vs Norwich player ratings

Alisson – 6

Limped off on 39 minutes with an injury. Worrying for Liverpool – the drop off to Adrian is a large one.

AP

Liverpool vs Norwich player ratings

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 8

At times exploited defensively but such a potent creative threat going forward.

REUTERS

Liverpool vs Norwich player ratings

Joe Gomez – 6

Pukki found some joy down his side, and his combination with Alexander-Arnold needs to be further nurtured if Gomez is to be the first choice right-sided centre-back option.

REUTERS

Liverpool vs Norwich player ratings

Virgil Van Dijk – 7

Powerful header and typically strong defensive performance.

Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Liverpool vs Norwich player ratings

Andy Robertson – 7

Not quite as creative as Alexander-Arnold but a useful outlet as ever and very solid defensively.

Getty Images

Liverpool vs Norwich player ratings

Fabinho – 6

Norwich managed to pick up space consistently between midfield and defence, which would fall under Fabinho’s remit, though the Brazilian grew into the game.

REUTERS

Liverpool vs Norwich player ratings

Jordan Henderson – 7

Quietly effective. A much more rounded footballer now and a positive presence in midfield.

REUTERS

Liverpool vs Norwich player ratings

Georginio Wijnaldum – 6

A more subdued night for Wijnaldum than many of his colleagues, though understated solidity has rather become his thing.

Getty Images

Liverpool vs Norwich player ratings

Divock Origi – 9

A genuine option on the left wing, with pace and footwork and real threat when biting inside.

AFP/Getty Images

Liverpool vs Norwich player ratings

Mohamed Salah – 8

Looked sharp at times, not so at others, but on the scoresheet and a friendly opening game for Liverpool’s attack.

Getty Images

Liverpool vs Norwich player ratings

Roberto Firmino – 8

Sterner tests to come but this was a fine performance from Liverpool’s front three and Firmino was integral, untouchable at times with movement and excellent link play.

AFP/Getty Images

Liverpool vs Norwich player ratings

Tim Krul – 5

Rather helpless as those in front of him failed to stem the tide.

AFP/Getty Images

Liverpool vs Norwich player ratings

Max Aarons – 5

Probably the best of the back four, though that’s damning with faint praise.

AFP/Getty Images

Liverpool vs Norwich player ratings

Grant Hanley – 3

A horrible moment as he sliced into his own net and it didn’t get much better for Norwich from there.

REUTERS

Liverpool vs Norwich player ratings

Ben Godfrey – 4

A little bit all over the place along with the rest of Norwich’s loose defensive structure.

REUTERS

Liverpool vs Norwich player ratings

Jamal Lewis – 4

Why was he marking Virgil Van Dijk? Why did Norwich push their full-backs so high?

Action Images via Reuters

Liverpool vs Norwich player ratings

Tom Trybull – 5

A game that generally bypassed the middle meant the Norwich midfield was rather passed by, and they did little to assist their defensive colleagues.

EPA

Liverpool vs Norwich player ratings

Kenny McLean – 5

Like Trybull, ineffective in combating LIerpool’s effervescence.

AFP/Getty Images

Liverpool vs Norwich player ratings

Emi Buendia – 6

A technically competent creator on this evidence, and you wonder if he may be given a slightly frer role in less challenging/one-sided contests.

REUTERS

Liverpool vs Norwich player ratings

Marco Stiepermann – 6

Finds space nicely, but failed to truly test Alisson with a string of chances. Promising signs from he, Buendia and particularly Pukki, though.

REUTERS

Liverpool vs Norwich player ratings

Todd Cantwelll – 5

The quietest of the attacking midfield trio.

REUTERS

Liverpool vs Norwich player ratings

Teemu Pukki – 8

Norwich’s best by a distance, bothersome and busy leading the line and notching a deserved first Premier League. An intelligent mover and the goals will surely continue to come in the Premier League as they did in the Championship.

Action Images via Reuters

Lovren cost Liverpool £20m when they signed him from Southampton in 2014.

He has made 170 appearances for the Reds over the past five seasons – but appeared in just 13 Premier League matches last term as his role in the first-team declined.

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