Dejan Lovren injury: Will Liverpool defender play against Brighton?

Updated: 15/01/2025

In recent weeks Liverpool have suffered a centre-back injury crisis with Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren all picking up complaints during the festive period.

Lovren had regained his starting position in the team alongside Virgil van Dijk following the injuries to Matip and Gomez, but during Liverpool's FA Cup defeat to Wolves the Croatian was forced off with a hamstring injury.

It's not just Liverpool fans who are sweating on Lovren's return to fitness – the hulking defender is owned by over 200,000 FPL players, many of whom will be considering swapping in an injury-free alternative.

How serious is the injury?

Immediately following the Wolves defeat, Jurgen Klopp provided a vague update on Lovren's injury.

He said: “[It is his] hamstring, is what I heard – without any signs before. I asked everybody, no signs, nothing, just out of the blue, so that's the decision you have to make.”

The club are yet to release any more official updates on the defender's injury, but the Liverpool Echo have suggested that the Croat won't feature against Brighton on Saturday.

Sources at the club are reportedly hopeful that the injury isn't too serious.

Should I get rid of him?

Yes.

Details on Lovren's injury are thin on the ground, but it sounds like he will miss out on Liverpool's Gameweek 22 fixture.

Managers are better spending their money elsewhere for now, but should keep an eye out for Klopp's Premier League press conference on Friday.

Potential replacements

Thinking of getting rid of Lovren? Sign one of these budget defenders as a replacement.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£4.5m) has been a cult favourite among Fantasy Premier League players due to his budget price and his consistent performances for Crystal Palace. Other than Liverpool in Gameweek 23, Palace face a winnable run of fixtures against Watford, Southampton, Fulham, West Ham and Leicester.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£5.2m) is ludicrously underpriced. The Englishman has racked up 87 points so far this season and should feature prominently for Liverpool as they continue to chase their first league title in 29 years.

Cedric (£4.2m) Looking to bank some cash to spend elsewhere? Consider signing Southampton defender Cedric as his side continue to improve under the stewardship of Ralph Hasenhuttl. The Saints managed a clean sheet in their last Premier League outing against Chelsea.

i verdict

Lovren looks unlikely to start in Gameweek 22 and, with Joe Gomez and Joel Matip easing their way back towards full fitness, the Croat could again be forced out of the picture at Anfield.

FPL managers should avoid signing the divisive defender and either fork out for Trent Alexander-Arnold or bank some money by signing Cedric Soares of Southampton.

Join i's league on the official Fantasy Premier League game to pit your wits against fellow readers – and our hapless sports desk team. Code: 1284313-292880

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Original source: https://inews.co.uk/sport/football/fantasy-football/dejan-lovren-injury-latest-fitness-update-liverpool-brighton/

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