Lawrenson: Lovren injury could be a 'blessing in disguise' for Liverpool
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Published 28/09/2015 at 11:33 GMT
Former Liverpool legend Mark Lawrenson has called centre-back Dejan Lovren "absolutely awful" and believes his injury is a "blessing in disguise" for Brendan Rodgers.
Liverpool's Dejan Lovren and Martin Skrtel
Image credit: Reuters
The Croatian international was stretchered off with an ankle injury at the end of Liverpool's penalty shootout victory over Carlisle United last week.
But so miserable has the former Southampton defender's form been since his £20million move in July 2014 that Lawrenson believes the Reds will benefi from his absence.
Writing in the Liverpool Echo, he said: "He had a spell of two or three good games at the start of this season and you thought 'you know what, maybe he's going to be fine'.
"Wrong. His decision-making is absolutely awful. Awful.
"What on earth was he thinking for the goal Carlisle scored in midweek? He should have gone and closed the ball down, not least as there were two other centre-backs to cover.
"Instead he came rushing out. It's like he had never, ever defended before in his life, let alone been a £20million international centre-back."
Lovren returned to the starting eleven for the Capital One Cup fixture after losing his Premier League place to Mamadou Sakho for the 1-1 draw against Norwich, but will now face an enforced absence from the first-team.
"You never want anyone to be injured, and you wouldn't wish a serious injury on anybody.
"But the timing of Lovren's absence could be a blessing in disguise for both player and team.
"It's now a big chance for Mamadou Sakho to stake a regular claim and maybe even for Joe Gomez to, at some stage, impress in his favoured position."
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