When Liverpool signed Lazar Markovic in 2014, fans were rightly very, very excited.
He cost £20m (via BBC Sport) and when asked if he would become one of the best players in the Premier League, declared: “Most likely. I am hoping so and I believe I will,” he told the Telegraph.
Naivety of youth perhaps, but attacking players with such flair and arrogance can very often back it up. Take Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thierry Henry to name but a few.
Markovic though, two and a half years after his transfer, has made 19 appearances for Liverpool in total – mostly from the bench and all during his debut campaign – in which he was used as a utility player by a clearly underwhelmed Brendan Rodgers.
Fast forward to now and Jurgen Klopp’s sent him to Hull on loan after his Sporting Lisbon deal was terminated. This is despite the fact Liverpool are crying out for a winger, but following a promising debut against Manchester United last night, our boss has refused to rule out a return at some point.
“He still has a contract. Why should I say no chance? When he plays very well against us, then I say no future at Liverpool!” Klopp told the Echo.
“But if he plays against the other teams very well then he has a chance..”
The odds are very stacked against Markovic, but we’d love him to tear it up for Hull and provide us either with a big transfer fee at the end of the season, or a genuine option for the squad. Time will tell, but we’re wishing him all the luck in the world.