Liverpool Echo journalist Ian Doyle reckons Lazar Markovic has no chance of getting back into Jurgen Klopp’s at Liverpool.
In his Sunday column, he said:
Such is the case with Lazar Markovic. It’s hugely telling that while names such as Julian Brandt, Christian Pulisic and Julian Brandt were circulating, not once was Markovic mentioned.
Not even when it became apparent his loan spell at Sporting Lisbon was being terminated after a miserable time in the Portuguese capital.
Markovic, it has been accepted, is a Liverpool player in name only, a £20million misfire and an unwanted reminder of a period of indifferent recruitment.
Personally, I’m not sure if Markovic can turn Klopp’s head; if he plays exceptionally at Hull or kills it in pre-season training – providing we don’t sell him first – there’s a chance he could have a future at Liverpool.
Not only that but Liverpool are weak when it comes to wingers – we are currently being liked with moves for Julian Brandt and Demarai Gray, not to mention Christian Pulisic as well.
Klopp could make a Liverpool player out of Markovic yet.
In other news, it’s been revealed that Sadio Mane chose Liverpool because of Klopp; Ed Aarons, editor of Guardian Sport, tweeted that Mane’s agent has denied the Senegalese winger turned down Spurs as Liverpool were offering more money but it’s because his client wanted to work under Klopp.
He then quotes Bjorn Bezemer, Mane’s agent:
Sadio had five offers in the summer and financially all of them were good. We wanted the right team, with the right coach at the right moment to arrive at the next level. That is the reason Sadio went to Anfield.
Sadly, Ed also claims he was told that Sadio’s car had been vandalised while he was on AFCON duty – following missing an important penalty.
Onto more positive news, Arsenal have been linked with a move for Leicester City’s Kasper Schmeichel but, according to the Daily Star, Liverpool are going to rival the Londoners for the Premier League winner’s signature.
Simon Mignolet has been shaky and with Loris Karius not being much better, it’s unsurprising that Liverpool are keeping tabs on goalkeepers.
This news comes just after Liverpool were linked with a move for Joe Hart but, to be honest, it’s easy to dot the lines; Liverpool haven’t got a solid goalkeeper right now, Hart is on loan in Italy and Leicester might be relegated.
It’s February and we already have “silly season”, crazy.
Feel free to discuss possible transfers with me over on Twitter – @StefanoHairon
