Whelan: Exit-linked Reds defender “would walk into any team”

Ex-Leeds and Coventry City striker Noel Whelan believes Dejan Lovren would be missed at Liverpool if he were to leave the club this summer, according to Footballer Insider.

The 29-year-old Croatian has been heavily linked with a switch to Serie A amid speculation AC Milan want to secure his signature.

But Whelan thinks Lovren is better than most give him credit for and would be a loss to Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool.

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“I’m not surprised Milan want him, he’d walk into any team you care to mention,” Whelan said. “When fully fit, Lovren is a superb centre-back who is aggressive, dominant and difficult to play against.

“He’s actually got better the longer he has been at Liverpool, and I’m sure Klopp will not want to lose a defender like him who can step in and be so comfortable at the top level.

“Liverpool now have an embarrassment of riches at centre-back, and it’s hard to keep them all happy, especially as Virgil van Dijk never seems to get injured.

“With Matip and Gomez on the books, how much would Lovren play next season? He’d have to wait for his chance, and, at this stage of his career, you couldn’t blame him for agreeing a long-term contract with a top side where he would play regularly.”

Lovren has made 170 appearances for Liverpool since joining from Southampton in 2014.

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Source: anfieldhq.com