Liverpool FC manager Brendan Rodgers has started the season preferring Dejan Lovren to French defender Mahmadou Sakho and it will remain that way as per reports.
Dejan Lovren was purchased by Liverpool FC in a 20m GBP deal from Southampton last season. But the defender had lost his place in the side towards the end of the season due to some poor displays.
Sakho was absent from the Liverpool FC matchday squad on Sunday, but did travel to the Britannia Stadium. His absence was attributed to the fact he missed three days of training in the build up to the game after the birth of his second child.
Sakho did go onto play in a behind-closed-door friendly on Monday which was held with a view to give a run out to the players lacking in fitness.
However, as per Andy Hunter in the Guardian, Rodgers has chosen Lovren ahead of Sakho regardless of the fitness issues:
“Rodgers had already decided to start the season with Dejan Lovren alongside Martin Skrtel in central defence and the Croatia international responded with an assured display in the 1-0 victory.”
The Telegraph‘s Chris Bascombe also adds to the report by writing in Tuesdaya s paper:
a Sakho must wait for his opportunity after Rodgers made it clear Dejan Lovren and Martin Skrtel are his preferred pairing at centre-half. Lovren responded to that show of faith with his most accomplished performance since joining Liverpool.a
James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo also confirmed the choice of Lovren over Sakho. He wrote:
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“Lovren/Skrtel clearly Rodgers’ first choice partnership as it stands and Sakho/Toure as back up.”
“As for the Sakho/Lovren debate, I agree with you in that personally I think Sakho is the better option. But Rodgers opted to put his faith in Lovren and he was rewarded with a very solid display at Stoke.”