Dejan Lovren: The centre-back to ease Liverpool's defensive woes (Video)

With reports earlier this week suggesting that Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was set to oversee and major revamp of the playing squad of the summer, the name Martin Skrtel was supposedly set for a move away from Anfield.

Coupled with Jamie Carragher's impending retirement, the need to bring in another centre-back is of vital importance to the Merseyside outfit. However, it's believed that Liverpool are ready to secure his replacement sooner rather than later.

The man to fill the defensive void is reported to be Lyon defender Dejan Lovren. The 23-year-old Croatia international has become a pivotal member of the Ligue 1 side's backline after signing from Dynamo Zagreb back in 2010.

Having made 65 league appearances for Les Gones in the last two-and-a-half years, netting twice, coupled with 16 appearances for the Croatia national team, has seen him emerge as one of the hottest defensive talents on the continent.

As speculation continuously links Skrtel with a move back to Zenit St. Petersburg, a move that Rodgers is reported to be willing to sanction, Lovren could be the man to succeed the powerful Slovakia international, while his age means he could form a formidable partnership with Daniel Agger in the heart of the Reds backline. 

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