THE four words you never expected to hear from Liverpool fans: Bring back Dejan Lovren.
As Liverpool’s medical centre prepare for yet another patient this morning, the decision to sell the much-derided Croatian to Zenit for £10.9million is looking an unbelievably bad decision.
Diogo Jota celebrates his Liverpool opener in his own style as the ex-Wolves winger continues to impress since his summer arrivalCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Versatile Liverpool star Fabinho steps off the field after injuring his hamstring in another defensive blow for Jurgen KloppCredit: EPA
While Lovren was in Germany preparing for tonight’s Champions League trip to Dortmund, his former club were left in total disbelief as Fabinho pulled up with a hamstring injury within half hour.
The defender got plenty of stick in his six years on Merseyside and his ability did not match the remarkably high opinion he has of himself — but how Jurgen Klopp needs him now.
The Liverpool manager has become angry when asked about the dangers of having just three senior centre-backs but now the naive decision has bitten him on the backside.
Klopp replaced Jordan Henderson, who has played at the back before. It shows the problems when they wrap emergency centre-halves in cotton wool.
At least Diogo Jota continued to prove what a good signing he will be.
The former Wolves forward finished off a stunning move to score the 10,000th goal of Liverpool’s history against a stubborn Midtjylland.
Liverpool, who face Atalanta in Italy on Tuesday, already look certain to qualify for the knockout stage but the immediate problem is that Joe Gomez is the only fit senior centre-back at the club.
Previously, the Reds have been fortunate with injuries which is why they managed such super-human consistency. As a result, there is not much sympathy for them now.
Virgil van Dijk looks out for the season, while Joel Matip is sidelined.
And the list goes on. Thiago Alcantara, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Even Kostas Tsimikas, signed as back-up for Andy Robertson, is currently crocked.
In their latest defensive reshuffle, Klopp called on Rhys Williams.
Diogo Jota breaks the deadlock for Liverpool on 59 minutes against their Danish visitorsCredit: AFP or licensors
Striker Mo Salah tucks home a stoppage-time penalty for injury-hit LiverpoolCredit: PA:Press Association
With the club since he was nine, Williams, 19, had started two of the Carabao Cup games while also was handed a minute in the 1-0 win in Ajax.
Unexpectedly, he was handed an hour of football he will remember for the rest of his career.
At half-time, Klopp replaced Jordan Henderson, who has played at the back before. It shows the problems when it seems they are having to wrap emergency centre-halves in cotton wool.
The champions had looked more solid in their previous two games against Ajax and Sheffield United after a difficult couple of weeks but they were caught cold by an early long ball and lucky to still be level.
Anders Dryer lost Robertson, ran behind the two centre-backs and found himself clean through. He should have scored but Alisson blocked the effort.
Sub Mo Salah salutes his spot-kick after Liverpool left out the Egyptian plus fellow famed strikers Mane and Firmino from the starting line-upCredit: PA:Press Association
Liverpool keeper Alisson Becker foils Anders Dreyer as Midtjylland threatenCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Gini Wijnaldum replaced skipper Henderson at the break and played a part in the build-up play to the opening goal which was brilliant.
Trent Alexander-Arnold played a one-two with Xherdan Shaqiri and Liverpool’s king of the assist squared for Jota who could not miss from a couple of yards.
It was Jota’s first Champions League goal since he scored for Porto against Leicester in 2016 and he will get a few more this season.
Bobby Firmino missed a terrific chance, then Liverpool got away with one. In the 90th minute, Dreyer eased past Gomez, looked certain to score but then flicked the ball into the side-netting.
Liverpool charged up the other end, Paulinho stood on Mo Salah’s foot and the hosts got a penalty. The Egyptian buried the ball into the net and the most grateful man on the pitch would have been Gomez.
At his press conference ahead of the Ajax game in Amsterdam a week ago, Klopp lobbed a grenade at Jamie Carragher, claiming he was being unfairly critical while speaking about the team’s defensive crisis.
But Klopp could do with Carragher in central defence against West Ham on Saturday teatime.
Fabinho injury leaves Liverpool in defensive crisis as Brazilian limps off against Midtjylland with Van Dijk out too
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
