Since returning from injury, Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho has finally started showing some consistency in his form, and his solid performances mean that £20m summer-signing Dejan Lovren is barely getting a look-in these days. Sakho and Lovren are left-sided central defenders, which means they're both competing for the same spot in the team, but overall, who is the better player?
According to Manchester United legend Paul Scholes, there's only one answer.
On Friday, he told The Independent:
"I prefer Mamadou Sakho to Dejan Lovren in defence, not least for the fact that he always looks to play the ball forward. You need to be positive if you want to play attacking football and I see that quality in Sakho".
At this stage, I'm sure most LFC fans will Scholes. Lovren had his chance earlier this season, and he blew it, big time. Sakho has grabbed his chance with both hands, and remains in the team on merit.
I'm not the biggest fan of Sakho, but as with every player, the past is irrelevant; play well and you should stay in the team, it's that simple.
If Sakho, Skrtel, and Can maintain their current form (3 clean sheets in 4 games; only one goal conceded), then it's hard to see how Lovren is going to break back into the team.
Scholes is also spot-on about Sakho's passing:
* 89% passing accuracy for the season so far.
* Second-best accuracy in the entire squad.
* Only Skrtel (91%) has better passing accuracy than Sakho.
Sakho is positive with the ball, and always tries to pass it forward, but that's been the case ever since he arrived. Now, his defensive solidity is reaching the same level of consistency, and that's a good thing for Liverpool.
That said, if given the chance, I still think Lovren will come good. After splurging £20m in the summer, Rodgers has no choice but to try and integrate him into the team at some point, and it's possible he may - like Skrtel and Sakho - perform well in a back three.
The alternative is to sell, and given Lovren's poor form this season, his value has probably plummeted. At the very least, he needs to be in the shop window to maintain his value, but since Liverpool paid over the odds, I doubt any other club will pay £20m+ for him.
To be honest, the same probably applies to Sakho - his form may have improved, but when the time comes, will any other club pay £18m+ for him?
Author: Jaimie K
According to Manchester United legend Paul Scholes, there's only one answer.
On Friday, he told The Independent:
"I prefer Mamadou Sakho to Dejan Lovren in defence, not least for the fact that he always looks to play the ball forward. You need to be positive if you want to play attacking football and I see that quality in Sakho".
At this stage, I'm sure most LFC fans will Scholes. Lovren had his chance earlier this season, and he blew it, big time. Sakho has grabbed his chance with both hands, and remains in the team on merit.
I'm not the biggest fan of Sakho, but as with every player, the past is irrelevant; play well and you should stay in the team, it's that simple.
If Sakho, Skrtel, and Can maintain their current form (3 clean sheets in 4 games; only one goal conceded), then it's hard to see how Lovren is going to break back into the team.
Scholes is also spot-on about Sakho's passing:
* 89% passing accuracy for the season so far.
* Second-best accuracy in the entire squad.
* Only Skrtel (91%) has better passing accuracy than Sakho.
Sakho is positive with the ball, and always tries to pass it forward, but that's been the case ever since he arrived. Now, his defensive solidity is reaching the same level of consistency, and that's a good thing for Liverpool.
That said, if given the chance, I still think Lovren will come good. After splurging £20m in the summer, Rodgers has no choice but to try and integrate him into the team at some point, and it's possible he may - like Skrtel and Sakho - perform well in a back three.
The alternative is to sell, and given Lovren's poor form this season, his value has probably plummeted. At the very least, he needs to be in the shop window to maintain his value, but since Liverpool paid over the odds, I doubt any other club will pay £20m+ for him.
To be honest, the same probably applies to Sakho - his form may have improved, but when the time comes, will any other club pay £18m+ for him?
polls & surveys
Author: Jaimie K
See Jaimie you were wrong when you said that Lovern is better than Sakho and that if a player is to be sold in central defence it should be Sakho.
ReplyDeleteBe a Gentleman and hold your hands up to saying you got it wrong.
Sakho's stats and performance clearly show he's a better defender.
Sakho is serving some humble pie to those who were saying he was useless and it is also a bit of egg in the face for Rodgers too :-)
ReplyDeleteThe burden of wearing the prestigious red shirt is huge. Players who come in have to understand the responsibility that comes with it. It takes time and Lovren must embrace it . It takes time.
ReplyDeleteSakho is the perfect example
I was never convinced by Lovren although I hadhoped I would be proven wrong. It's the one season syndrome again. Always been a Sakho fan though.
ReplyDeleteThere was nothing wrong with Sakho to start off with. Everybody would rather just berate him because of his awkward movement which does not effect what he does on the pitch anyway.
ReplyDeleteRodgers signed Lovren to make Sakho sit on the bench and that plan has backfired completely. Sakho > Lovren. End of.
We bought quiet a few one season wonders under Rodgers. Still cant see where the Welsh Xavi fits the equation in all this.
ReplyDeleteDont expect those who made those comments to hold there hands up.
ReplyDeleteMy Grandfather always says the mark of a MAN is to admit when he's wrong...because he has learnt something about himself
Some cannot see the wood for the trees.
ReplyDeleteMaybe. But settling in takes time. Sakho seems to have come good. Lovren will come good as well. give him time
ReplyDeleteIts called PRIDE AND EGO.
ReplyDeleteThey see it alright
But he is a right footed CB who prefers to play at Left CB so who do we prefer in the starting eleven. Sakho or Lovren?
ReplyDeleteLovren has been an utter waste of money. We should rather have kept Agger.
I hope Lovern comes good but he's not the leader in defence he thinks he is.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to see Lovern in a back three with Skrtel and Sakho and move Can into the DM role alongside Lucas
We always want all our signings to come good. They are our assets
ReplyDeleteSakho v Sakho on Saturday looking likely, West Ham just bought their one on.
ReplyDeleteAgreed!
ReplyDeleteAnd we cant buy our own in Sterling.
ReplyDeleteDon't tell me how to think. It's still my opinion that Lovren is better than Sakho, and if I had to choose between selling one, I'd still choose Sakho. That doesn't mean, however, that I won't acknowledge it when Sakho plays well.
ReplyDeleteA 2-month period means nothing. When Sakho performs consistently over a whole season, then I might change my view. For now, I still believe Lovren will come good and usurp Sakho in the team.
The gracious reply I expected
ReplyDeleteHaha...nice spot
ReplyDeleteAllen will fit in at Stoke or maybe get Moyes drunk and convince him to buy him by saying he's actually Can
ReplyDeleteMidfielder Fabian Delph extends his Aston Villa contract
ReplyDeleteMusic to my ears.
Lets bid 20mill for him....
ReplyDeleteImproved defence, clean sheets and one of his big money signings coming good? Hardly a case of something backfiring on Rodgers
ReplyDeleteHa, I say let's bid £36m and get it over and done with. At least he will be our most expensive player after Carroll.
ReplyDeleteJust wait next season please and see who's better, sakho having his 2nd year while lovren still adapting, the point is both of them are good player just be patient and something good will come...........
ReplyDeleteHaven't seen a bad performance from Sakho since he came. Now that might be just my opinion but I am pretty sure nobody can remember him being on the level of worst performances from Lovren and Skrtel...
ReplyDeleteRodgers has never been keen on Sakho and Lovren being one of our worst players this season is like a 14lb hammer on the head. How much did we sell Agger for?
ReplyDeleteSkrtle has yet to score an own goal. That in itself says it all.
ReplyDeleteYou mean Sakho, or I completely don't understand you?
ReplyDeleteHow so? Please elaborate.
ReplyDeleteI meant Skrtle
ReplyDeleteAll right than, I completely don't understand you..
ReplyDeletenever mind. Its just banter
ReplyDeleteHe broke the record for own goals last season not sure about this season
ReplyDeleteAnd I really don't understand how 2 month period means nothing for Sakho, yet you prefer Lovren who haven't had 2 good games in a row...
ReplyDeleteI think Rodgers management of players is highly suspect and explains why so many of the players he signs fail ....he goes from one extreme to another hes either fawning all over them or spiting venom at them
ReplyDeleteHopefully you are right..
ReplyDeleteSelling Agger for £3m and signing Lovren for £20m to make Sakho sit on the bench. Does that make sense?
ReplyDeleteCrack open the bubbly- oh no they're holding out for more money from us - well Brendan doesn't get out of bed for less than 20m
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased that Sakho is at last getting some recognition and I don't think it's a stretch to say that he's currently our best defender. He's strong, positionally astute and his passing is excellent, being particularly adept at picking out long passes forward. Those qualities have always been evident. So what if he sometimes moves like a drunken giraffe? All he needed to prove his worth was a decent run in the team and he's taking that opportunity well. If this serves to give Lovren a boot up his arse then it can only be a great thing for the team.
ReplyDeleteNope. Never did. Never will.
ReplyDeleteToo right! He's recently mentioned that Balotelli isn't good enough in training! For Pete's sake!!!
ReplyDeleteNo one told you how to think.
ReplyDeleteMy view as MAJORITY of the people on here is that Sahko is a better Defender than Lovern.
I stated it a long time ago and I like many others on here and elsewhere THINK that.
Given your own stats this backed up by his performances.
The 2 month period from Sakho is BETTER than Lovren's stats over 4 months FACT.
Lovren's performance are the reason he was dropped and the teams performances have improved.
Nothing you have stated thus far shows he will 'come good' .
I agree I want to see what stats or facts Jaimie can present to support his view.
ReplyDeleteThus far I've seen nothing.
No wonder Lucas wants to leave. Was 3rd choice at the start of the season and all of a sudden now that Inter Milan are bang on to sign him Lucas is Rodgers darling again.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy Delph signed a new contract at Villa.
Great stash of Kinder toys though
ReplyDeleteRodgers loves to air dirty laundry in public.
ReplyDeleteThere is hunch thing, but based on his career with only one season in So'ton being worth mentioning...
ReplyDeleteYou do remember he played the start of the season, and how poor was he? You play well you are praised, you don't you are benche or sold- pretty simple..
ReplyDeleteI like Sakho, he just needs a run of games! Lovren's terrible form has been a real blessing for Rodgers. Who never really knew his best 11 & has therefore had his hand forced a bit! I hope Lovren shows some grit to fight for his place!
ReplyDeleteBoth Lovren and Sakho have been in the Premier league the same amount of time.
ReplyDeleteNot sure where you're going with this
Sam amount of time in the Premier league as Sakho.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't blame lucas for wanting to leave because his treatment and been unfair to say the least .....Rodgers will no doubt spin his curent form as a grand master plan and will of course take all the credit ...hes a snake oil sales man who has got lucky
ReplyDeleteHe is playing better because rodgers has returned to the pressing system whereas for the first half of this season we allowed the opposition to camp in our half with the delusional system Rodgers introduced when he first came to the club.
ReplyDeleteProbably true, but a player has to addopt, right?
ReplyDelete