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Unfortunately for Brendan Rodgers, a majority of the nine players Liverpool signed this summer saw limited action prior to the start of the Premier League season. Divock Origi immediately headed back to Lille on loan, Adam Lallana was injured as the preseason tour of the US got underway, Javier Manquillo, Alberto Moreno, and Mario Balotelli joined in the last few weeks of August, and both Emre Can and Lazar Markovic were limited through injury.
Each of the new signings were exciting in their own right, but the capture of Markovic was perhaps the most enticing. One of the most promising young forwards on the continent and a player most had pegged for Chelsea in the next few seasons, he wasn't necessarily one that was seen as entirely realistic when his name first popped up. That Liverpool were able to secure his signature was hugely encouraging, but anticipation quickly gave way to disappointment as he was sidelined because of injury through the preseason and Liverpool's opener against Southampton after his first appearance against Olympiakos.
It was obviously a frustrating spell for the player as well, but now that he's healthy, Markovic is ready to put on a show in front of the home supporters:
"I can't wait to play at Anfield for the first time. I am very excited. I've watched other games at Anfield from the stands but hopefully this time I'll be out there. I know the atmosphere will be amazing and I want to sample that. The team is in a good moment after the win at Tottenham and I want to help us build on that. I'm feeling good physically. The injury was annoying and it meant I wasn't able to play as much as I wanted but that's behind me now. Whether I start or not is down to the manager but I'm prepared and I want to get out there and show the fans what I can do."
What he can do, at least judging by his cameos at City and Spurs, is get forward with pace that verges on frightening. He showed flashes of link-up with Alberto Moreno in the loss at the Etihad with the occasional burst with the ball at his feet, and while the game was all but settled by the time he arrived at White Hart Lane, he still managed to have a positive impact going forward, albeit a slightly more controlled one.
Finally at full fitness and on the verge of his first appearance at Anfield--and with seven matches in the next four weeks--there's every reason to be excited about seeing what Lazar Markovic can do.
