Of the signings Liverpool made in the wake of Luis Suarez’s departure last summer, one that has flown under the radar slightly has been Lazar Markovic.
Not heralded as having the same success as Emre Can while not chastised like Mario Balotelli, the Serbian attacker has had a hot-and-cold first season in English football.
Markovic arrived at the Merseyside club with a substantial reputation after excelling at Benfica for a number of years, both domestically and on the continent.
He became one of the most feared attackers in Portuguese football due to his eye for goal, trickery and delivery from wide.
On occasion Markovic has shown this season that he has the ability to be a star for Brendan Rodgers’ men, but more often than not he has had to watch on from the sidelines.
Part of the issue the skilful midfielder has had in confirming a consistent place in the starting XI has been due to question marks over his best role at Anfield.
In Rodgers’ new 3-4-3 formation of sorts, Markovic has been deployed both as a right wing-back and as one of the two attacking midfielders behind a main striker.
There are certainly merits in the Serbia international fulfilling both roles.
At wing-back, Markovic has the energy to get up and down the flank, while his ability to cross accurately will also be of the benefit to the team.
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Having played most of his football as a winger at Benfica, this role will be more accustomed to the Serb, who could well fill a problem area for the Reds at right wing-back.
However, with Markovic still getting to grips with the pace and physicality of the English game, the defensive duties of the role are something that he will need to improve in.
From a position perspective the eastern European wideman has been caught out on occasion when playing this role, while he does not have the tenacity in the tackle of other options at Rodgers’ disposal.
When Markovic has been utilised as an attacking midfielder alongside Philippe Coutinho, the pair have struck up a relatively impressive understanding and the former Benfica man has looked like a real threat.
The licence to roam and find space will appeal to the player, while his vision and creativity have the ability to create chances for others.
In the long run, if Liverpool persist with the 3-4-3 formation, Markovic seems more suited to a withdrawn attacking role, but he has competition for a first-team place.
When Daniel Sturridge is fit to lead the line, the Serb has Coutinho, Raheem Sterling and Adam Lallana as team-mates who have ambitions of fulfilling the two playmaker roles.
As such, although it appears that this is where Markovic will thrive most, the chance for him to command a consistent place in the team playing here looks slight.
Foreign players can take time to adjust to English football and Markovic should not be fully judged until after next season when he has had more opportunity to immerse himself at the Anfield club.
However, for Rodgers to get the best out of this mercurial talent, giving him a consistent run in the team in a fitting position is a pre-requisite.
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