Liverpool defender will finally take leave from Anfield after six years of service

Dejan Lovren is poised to leave Anfield for Zenit St Petersburg for a low fee of £10.9 million at the end of the season.

The once self-proclaimed “best defender” in the world will be putting an end to his Merseyside career of six years when the summer window opens.

"Dejan Lovren’s six-year stay at Liverpool is set to draw to a close with the defender on the verge of joining Zenit St Petersburg for a fee of around £10.9 million."

Discussions for the central defender is yet to take place between the English and Russian champions. It is understood talks will open soon and the transfer will promptly transpire. Lovren, 31, has made 15 appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s side this season.

The defender has long been a subject of a transfer out of the club for many seasons running but was blocked from any moves prior to this window. This was due to the lack of activity in the market for another replacement for him and nobody willing to meet Liverpool’s previous evaluation of him.

Now with everyone at the Anfield club achieving great things over the last couple of seasons, those on the fringe will get to decide on their future and whether it’s going to be in England with Liverpool or abroad, where they can warrant themselves regular first-team minutes, but at the same time, at the highest level of football.

More from Liverpool FC

• “Dreadful” Liverpool defender was shunned for being “miles off” vs Wolves
• Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp’s agent FINALLY addresses rumours he’ll leave
• Liverpool will rival Manchester City for colossal Premier League defender
• Liverpool are advancing in talks to extend the contract of “top professional”
• Liverpool lose captain for a further game after ban extended for “abusive” language

Dejan Lovren will opt for the latter and will find homage in Russia with Russian Premier League winners, Zenit St Petersburg, who have wanted the player for many moons ahead of the potential transfers.

"Zenit had initially wanted to purchase Lovren, who joined Liverpool from Southampton for £20 million in 2014, for a knockdown fee in the belief he had entered the final year of his contract. (Via: thetimes.co.uk)"

Why not extend Lovren’s contract?

In the twilight era of his career at the age of 31, he will not feature much like he hasn’t been for the past couple of season. Since the arrival of Virgil van Dijk and Jurgen Klopp opting to move Joe Gomez to his natural centre back position, Lovren has fallen down the pecking order.

The Croatian not only fell behind the two aforementioned but also Joel Matip. And sadly, it has worked out remarkably well for the Reds. Boasting the best defensive Premier League team for the past two seasons, the Reds proved Lovren was not really needed and it is time to move on.

Yes, Dejan had an error, or two, or three in him but one thing the defender made sure of, he left everything out on the pitch. He started off under loads of pressure when he had to justify his price tag of £20m from Southampton (a big amount at the time for a defender) but got much better over time under the guidance of Klopp and with the help of van Dijk.

Lovren has been a dedicated servant for the Anfield side and deserves all the credit for his accomplishments over the past six years. His most memorable moment was his towering header, which was also the winner in their Europa League quarter-final second league.

The moment, the madness, the meaning of the goal on a famous European night was a true blessing to witness. Sad that the player couldn’t keep it at that level consistently. However, he can walk away from the shores of Meyserside a proud Red.

A Champions League, Super Cup, Club World Cup, and now most recently, an English Premier League title. The player came and he saw and conquered. Hopefully, he will be as successful in Russia if/when the deal goes through.

As it is stands, the player wants the move, the club wants the, and his owners want to cash in on him. The only thing is, no official bid has been made as of yet.