Liverpool FC have been notified of the interest from Benfica for their Serbian Winger Lazar Markovic according to reports in Portuguese press.
Lazar Markovic had been singed by Liverpool FC just 12 months ago from Benfica for A?19.8 million with some of the top clubs in Europe, including Chelsea FC keeping a close watch on his progress.
The report comes from the Portuguese paper A Bola, who say that Benfica have informed Liverpool FC about their interest to take Lazar Markovic back to Portugal where he played a key role in the Eagles title winning campaign. Markovic started 30 games and appeared in further 19 for the Lisbon giants last season.
Earlier, reputed journalist Tony Barret from the Times had written in his article that Liverpool FC valued the talents of Markovic and had not doubt about it, but, there was a genuine concern if the player was suited to the English league.
Whilst the player has hardly shown an indication that he can deal with when roughed up, a routine occurrence on the pitch in England, examples of Luka Modric, Philip Coutinho, and Luis Garcia tells one that the player can adapt if he is open to learning.
The player has had a very hit and miss season with Liverpool FC that has hampered his ability to learn, too. An early pre-season injury meant Markovic was not as sharp as he would have liked to be in a new league and struggled to make an impact.
Liverpool fans aren’t happy with reports Lazar Markovic may be going back to Benfica [Tweets] http://t.co/L5QaDMFm4u pic.twitter.com/kCllNDeb0v
a 101 Great Goals (@101greatgoals) June 11, 2015
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Markovic to Benfica was just a very minor article in A Bola’s paper edition, so I wouldn’t read to much into it. a Jan Hagen (@PortuBall) June 11, 2015
Was then asked to play as a wingback with Brendan Rodgers switching to a 3-4-3 formation to beef up Liverpool FC’s defense for compensating for a lack of forward. Despite not being his natural position, Markovic’s best run of form came at right wing back.
It does look unlikely that Markovic will be sold. A loan move, at worst, is more likely. But then, it does not make any sense for Liverpool FC to send a player on loan outside England because he is not ready for the English League.
The move looks highly unlikely.