{"id":559476,"date":"2020-07-24T07:54:18","date_gmt":"2020-07-24T11:54:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonfootball.com\/?p=559476"},"modified":"2020-07-24T07:54:18","modified_gmt":"2020-07-24T11:54:18","slug":"report-dejan-lovren-to-complete-switch-from-liverpool-to-zenit-st-petersburg","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2020\/07\/24\/report-dejan-lovren-to-complete-switch-from-liverpool-to-zenit-st-petersburg\/","title":{"rendered":"REPORT: Dejan Lovren to Complete Switch From Liverpool to Zenit St Petersburg"},"content":{"rendered":"

After winning four trophies in the last two years at Liverpool<\/a>, Dejan Lovren<\/a> is set to depart the club. According to Paul Joyce of The Times<\/a>, the Croatian will join Zenit St Petersburg in a deal worth up to \u00a310.9 million this summer.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dejan Lovren Set to Join Zenit St Petersburg\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Dejan Lovren Leaving on a High<\/span><\/h3>\n

Dejan Lovren’s time at Liverpool has been full of highs and lows; from a penalty shootout miss to the famous winner against Borussia Dortmund<\/a>. The defender’s time at Anfield and the Dortmund goal, in particular, will forever be remembered by the Anfield faithful. There isn’t a better parting gift than a Premier League<\/a> winners medal, too, with Lovren adding to what is an impressive collection of honours won at Liverpool.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Chance to Become a Starter at Zenit<\/span><\/h3>\n

With Virgil Van Dijk<\/a>, Joel Matip<\/a> and Joe Gomez<\/a> to compete with at Liverpool, Lovren stood little to no chance of becoming a regular starter once again under Jurgen Klopp. The 31-year-old has made just 15 appearances for Liverpool this season, making a move the best possible way to secure a starting place once again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lovren will be keen to link up with former Chelsea<\/a> man Branislav Ivanovic<\/a>\u00a0to form one of the strongest backlines in the Russian Premier League where another title could be on the cards for the Croatian.<\/span><\/p>\n

A Chance for Ki-Jana Hoever?<\/span><\/h3>\n

Lovren’s potential exit provides Jurgen Klopp with the task of finding a new fourth-choice centre-back. And, with Coronavirus putting a stop to any excessive spending this summer, Liverpool may have to turn to the academy and Ki-Jana Hoever<\/a> to replace Lovren ahead of next season. The Dutchman has impressed this season in FA Cup games against Shrewsbury Town<\/a> and Everton<\/a> and looks more than ready for some first-team action.<\/span><\/p>\n

Lovren’s exit could be exactly what Liverpool need to unlock yet another talent from their academy.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>