Liverpool owned Lazar Markovic says Brendan Rodgers ‘changed’ his attitude towards him, and a breakdown of communication forced him to seek pastures new.
The 21-year-old Serb signed for Turkish giants Fenerbahce on loan until the end of the season. Markovic has done well since overcoming an early injury and is now a key member of their first-team, with many Liverpool fans asking why he was allowed to leave in the first place.
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“I had no problem with Brendan Rodgers and we had a bond until, for some reason that remains a mystery to me, he changed,” Markovic reportedly told Turkish newspaper Fanatik, cited in the Echo.
“He stopped playing me and then at the start of the season he didn’t even include me in the squad, and nobody explained to me what was going on or what his plans were, so I decided to leave.”
Of all the big signings of summer 2014, Markovic perhaps got given the least opportunities to prove himself worthy of his price-tag. Rarely did Rodgers select him in his proper position as an attacking midfielder and instead used him as a right wing-back on more than one occasion.
He wasn’t given many pre-season chances either in summer 2015, and as the player describes – was left out of the match day squads at the beginning of the season.
At this point Markovic did not know that Rodgers will have lost his job in seven games’ time and would be replaced by world renowned Jurgen Klopp – who will no doubt have appreciated the winger’s speed, work-rate and skills.
Hopefully the pair will get a chance to work together next season, as we think Markovic possesses a rare talent Klopp might be able to hone.