Report: Liverpool set price for Dejan Lovren

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Liverpool have reportedly set their price for Dejan Lovren. Both AS Roma and AC Milan have registered interest in the defender.

The Liverpool Echo say the club would accept €15million (£13.9m) – with bonuses taking it to €20m (£18.6m).

It’s quite surprising to see this from such a strong source. For one thing, Liverpool can’t replace the Croatian if he does move on.

And even if Lovren is 30, it doesn’t seem like too much money, given his experience. But Liverpool clearly have other plans.

We know Jurgen Klopp prefers a small squad, purely from how he uses his players. Once he’s got a settled team, they play pretty much every game.

Xherdan Shaqiri, of example, appeared to fall off the face of the earth over the second half of last season. Klopp had his favoured front three and so they would play every game.

It’s similar at the back. Such is the faith in Andy Robertson, Liverpool didn’t sign back-up this summer. Even after Alberto Moreno left.

Now, there may simply be faith that youth players can step up if they’re really needed. We also saw Fabinho and Jordan Henderson play centre-back last season – clear options for Klopp.

Selling Lovren could be a real risk, however, given Joe Gomez’s injury record. But if Liverpool are happy to name their price for Lovren, they must also be confident about Gomez improving.

All in all, it’s another example – much like the lack of summer signings – in putting faith in Klopp’s methods. Be it trusting a player with a poor injury record or that a small squad can bring success, he’s earned the right to stick to his beliefs.