Lazar Markovic: Promise and Fate

With a greatly diminished fixture list this season requiring a more diminished squad size, and the depth of attacking talent now and experience at Jürgen Klopp's disposal with Mane, Lallana, Firmino and others, Lazar Markovic may find that he is one of several other hairs needing trimming from the LFC team beard over the course of the transfer window. No European football to deal with this coming season means less rotation, less congestion of fixtures. And less injury, hope hope.

Markovic is 22 years old. He arrived in Liverpool two summers ago amidst much excitement, brought in under manager Brendan Rodgers to spark the team with pace and a bit of guile and, oh boy, the optimism we all felt.

But that was then and this is now. And after a spotty season in Turkey on loan with Fenerbahce, scoring two goals and contributing three assists, where he was plagued with a hamstring injury, Lazar is now staring down the possibility of his chances of success at Liverpool slowly fading.

According to Goal.com, the Liverpool will listen to offers for Markovic and may be actively pursuing options that benefit all parties. And that Liverpool are even open to letting young Lazar go out on loan again if the money's right.

Sporting are considered to be the only club with any concrete interest. Although whispers have been heard coming from Spain and Italy as well. But Sporting's manager, Jorge Jesus, knows Markovic from their days at Benfica and will, no doubt, feel that he can revive the ghost of Lazar's promise as a dangerous attacking player.

I, for one, would love to witness that revival, be it on Merseyside or elsewhere. But, to me, the real curious aspect of Lazar Markovic, is not his fate as a Liverpool player, but his fate as a professional footballer all together.