Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has claimed that Dejan Lovren is running out of opportunities to prove himself at Anfield.

The Croatian signed for the Reds from Southampton in 2014, but has struggled to cement a regular spot in the first team following a number of blunders.

The 26-year-old has seemingly lost his place to Mamadou Sakho, but now that the Frenchman is sidelined with an injury, Lovren is expected to partner Martin Skrtel in the heart of Liverpool's defence.

In an interview with the London Evening Standard, Carragher said: "I thought he was outstanding against Arsenal [earlier in the season] and then you thought 'is this the start of the Lovren being what he should be - a commanding centre-back for Liverpool?'

"But then in the following game, we played at home to West Ham and lost 3-0 and he was culpable for a goal.

"That can happen at times, but on the back of playing so well, to then go back to square one with that performance, put him in a bad light in the supporters' eyes. It will be another chance for him but sooner or later, he needs to take them."

Lovren is likely to start in Saturday's late kickoff against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.