Mark Lawrenson: I'm glad Dejan Lovren is injured

Mark Lawrenson has called Dejan Lovren's injury a blessing in disguise

MARK LAWRENSON has labeled Dejan Lovren's injury a 'blessing in disguise' for Liverpool.

 

The former Southampton man has failed to win over the Anfield faithful since making his £20million move last year.

And he's unlikely to gain any support this term either, after a shocking display in the Capital One Cup penalties-win over Carlisle.

 

The 26-year-old picked up an injury in that game and had to be subbed off at half time and is likely to miss the next few weeks for the Reds.

And Lawrenson believes it's for the best and could prove a blessing in disguise with a tough run of fixtures ahead for the merseyside club.

 

He told the Liverpool Echo: "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."

 

"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."