Dejan Lovren faces a real battle to regain his place in the Liverpool starting eleven.

The Croatian defender was a key player for Jurgen Klopp during Liverpool’s journey to the Champions League final last season. Lovren also reached the World Cup final with Croatia and was expected to take his place next to Virgil van Dijk in the Liverpool defence. However, the emergence of Joe Gomez has plunged his future into doubt.

Gomez was given a chance to impress in pre-season and made the position his own when Lovren missed the start of the campaign through injury. The England international has looked assured at the back and has struck up a wonderful relationship with Virgil van Dijk. It seems for the foreseeable future that Lovren will have to settle for a backup role.

Should the former Southampton man decide to leave, Liverpool should make a move for Nice defender – Malang Sarr. Valued at £13.5m by Transfermarkt, the Frenchman joined his boyhood club at the age of six and quickly progressed through their youth ranks; making his senior debut at the age of 17. Sarr has reportedly been courted by Barcelona, Real Madrid and Chelsea in the past.

Sarr is extremely comfortable with the ball at his feet, completing 90% of his passes in Ligue 1 last season (WhoScored). Naturally, the 19-year-old is still inexperienced but learning under Klopp as well as being tutored by the likes of van Dijk could do wonders for his development. The France youth international has displayed maturity beyond his years in the past and could be an important rotation option at Anfield.

Contracted until 2021, prising Sarr from his hometown club could prove to be costly. However, Liverpool would be landing one of the most promising youngsters in world football if they bring him to Merseyside.

Liverpool fans, thoughts?