Lazar Markovic is all set to make a loan move to Portugal on deadline day after Liverpool reached an agreement with Sporting Lisbon. Initially in the summer, the player had turned down a move to Portugal after rejecting a bid by Sporting Lisbon. Surprisingly the young player preferred a move anywhere in Europe apart from Portugal.
Markovic who is currently with the Serbian national squad in Belgrade had a change of heart after a potential loan move to a Premier League club failed. The Liverpool player had gained interest from clubs like Newcastle, Schalke and AC Milan who were looking to sign the player on a loan deal.
The winger was signed by Liverpool FC for £20 million in 2014 under the suggestion of Brendan Rodgers. The player was part of a huge inflow of players that summer after the club had received funds from the transfer of Luis Suarez to FC Barcelona.
The Serbia international who was once hailed as “The Serbian Messi”, however, saw his fortunes dwindle at Anfield as he netted just thrice in 34 appearances for Liverpool. The winger did not make many appearances that season and was soon loaned out to Turkish club Fenerbahce where he faced a lot of injury problems. After Liverpool appointed Jurgen Klopp last season, Markovic was hoping to impress the manager on his return.
But the Serbian winger was fighting a losing battle with the likes of Roberto Firmino and Adam Lallana well ahead in the pecking order. Markovic tried to force his way into Jurgen Klopp’s first team but failed to cement his place after an unimpressive performance in pre season. The 22-year old has the potential to strive under Jurgen Klopp especially given his massive work rate which Klopp looks for in his players and shouldn’t be fathomed by the loan move as he could benefit from playing regular football.
And with 3 years left on his contract, the club would be happy to see him develop and catch the eye of Klopp who could possibly use Markovic as an addition to a larger squad, given Liverpool qualify for Europe. The young Serbian international can be happy with the fact that he will get to play Champions League football with Sporting Lisbon this season after the club qualified for the group stages for the European tournament.
This should be a more tantalizing prospect than warming the bench amongst the reserves and a reunion with his former Benfica manager Jorge Jesus could possibly help him get back to form.
