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5 reasons Liverpool WILL NOT win the Premier League title

By Rucker Haringey

Aug 2, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel (37) keeps the ball out of the goal as AC Milan midfielder Rami Adil (13) looks for the ball during an international friendly at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 2, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Liverpool defender Martin Skrtel (37) keeps the ball out of the goal as AC Milan midfielder Rami Adil (13) looks for the ball during an international friendly at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 12, 2014; Sao Paulo, BRAZIL; Brazil forward Fred (9) reacts after falling after being touched by Croatia defender Dejan Lovren (6) in the second half during the opening game of the 2014 World Cup at Arena Corinthians. Brazil would be awarded a penalty kick on their way to a victory over Croatia 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 12, 2014; Sao Paulo, BRAZIL; Brazil forward Fred (9) reacts after falling after being touched by Croatia defender Dejan Lovren (6) in the second half during the opening game of the 2014 World Cup at Arena Corinthians. Brazil would be awarded a penalty kick on their way to a victory over Croatia 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Dejan Lovren

I have to admit that I liked the Liverpool purchase of Croatian defender Dejan Lovren from Southampton when it happened. I loved the way he commanded the back line for the Saints and thought he’d be a huge asset to Brendan Rodgers. Judging him based on his performances at Anfield to date, I was dead wrong.

While I don’t think Lovren is quite the dog that his performances earlier this season would dictate, he’s far from a world-class centre back. Not many people know this, but Martin Skrtel would actually have a full head of hair if he wasn’t forced to pull it out all the time due to Lovren’s individual errors. Lovren hasn’t even been able to hold down his starting spot against a challenge from Mamadou Sakho on the season.

In the interest of fairness, Lovren has been playing better as of late. He’s reclaimed his starting position and seems to be slowly growing more confident in his pairing with Skrtel. Still, he would need to continue that progression for several weeks if he were to become a reliable centre back. He simply hasn’t been good enough out on the pitch this year.

When you’re trying to win a Premier League title you must have not just a good, but great centre back pairing. Skrtel is holding up his end of the bargain but his partners have been unreliable to say the least. Lovren has been the chief offender who’s committed multiple individual errors this season that have led to opposing goals.

Klopp may choose to move to bring in a new partner for Skrtel in January, but even if he does the partnership will take time to really gel. Either way, Dejan Lovren is a huge problem for a Liverpool side with title aspirations.

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