Benfica attacker Lazar Markovic is due to have a medical at Anfield tomorrow ahead of a proposed £20m transfer, and although some fans - myself included - are distinctly underwhelmed by this prospective deal, former Chelsea boss Avram Grant insists that the 19-year old is destined for great things.
According to the Liverpool Echo today:
"Lazar Markovic is set to undergo a medical on Thursday ahead of completing his £20 million move from Benfica to Liverpool FC"
When asked about Markovic's potential this week, Grant - who managed the attacker during his time at Partizan Belgrade - told reporters:
“I can say that apart from Ronaldo and Messi, Markovic is one of the best talents I’ve ever seen at 19 years of age"
Over the years, I've learned to take exaggerated player-praise with a pinch of salt. Much of it is worthless, and the overwrought eulogies rarely match the reality. Take Iago Aspas, for example. Prior to signing for LFC last summer, Celta Vigo boss Paco Herrera described the Spaniard as 'part-Messi, part-monster', and further enthused:
“Iago is our benchmark. He is our star player in his own right, but he is like Messi for Barcelona.”
Funnily enough, Aspas's 'part-Messi, part-monster' attributes were curiously absent whenever he played for Liverpool.
All the exaggerated praise in the world is not going to convince me that it's a good idea to spend £20m on yet another 'player with potential' who may 'come good' at some undetermined point in the future.
If Markovic is such an amazing talent, why did Chelsea decline to exercise their contractual option to buy? They could've had the player for £12m, which is chicken-feed to Roman Abramovich, but Mourinho is seemingly not interested.
In my view, that is a cause for concern.
Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic recently described Markovic as 'unstoppable', but he also hinted at a problem with the Serb. He told reporters:
"He has such massive potential that if he changed his attitude in training he could be one of Europe's best players in his position"
This suggests that Markovic is a poor trainer and/or doesn't work as hard as he should, which won't go down with Rodgers, who demands 110% effort at all times.
I wish I could be positive about this particular transfer, but in my view, it's a waste of £20m. That's not to say that Markovic isn't talented; he clearly is, but he's not a player that LFC desperately need right now, and he's certainly not worth £20m.
Author: Jaimie K
According to the Liverpool Echo today:
"Lazar Markovic is set to undergo a medical on Thursday ahead of completing his £20 million move from Benfica to Liverpool FC"
When asked about Markovic's potential this week, Grant - who managed the attacker during his time at Partizan Belgrade - told reporters:
“I can say that apart from Ronaldo and Messi, Markovic is one of the best talents I’ve ever seen at 19 years of age"
Over the years, I've learned to take exaggerated player-praise with a pinch of salt. Much of it is worthless, and the overwrought eulogies rarely match the reality. Take Iago Aspas, for example. Prior to signing for LFC last summer, Celta Vigo boss Paco Herrera described the Spaniard as 'part-Messi, part-monster', and further enthused:
“Iago is our benchmark. He is our star player in his own right, but he is like Messi for Barcelona.”
Funnily enough, Aspas's 'part-Messi, part-monster' attributes were curiously absent whenever he played for Liverpool.
All the exaggerated praise in the world is not going to convince me that it's a good idea to spend £20m on yet another 'player with potential' who may 'come good' at some undetermined point in the future.
If Markovic is such an amazing talent, why did Chelsea decline to exercise their contractual option to buy? They could've had the player for £12m, which is chicken-feed to Roman Abramovich, but Mourinho is seemingly not interested.
In my view, that is a cause for concern.
Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic recently described Markovic as 'unstoppable', but he also hinted at a problem with the Serb. He told reporters:
"He has such massive potential that if he changed his attitude in training he could be one of Europe's best players in his position"
This suggests that Markovic is a poor trainer and/or doesn't work as hard as he should, which won't go down with Rodgers, who demands 110% effort at all times.
I wish I could be positive about this particular transfer, but in my view, it's a waste of £20m. That's not to say that Markovic isn't talented; he clearly is, but he's not a player that LFC desperately need right now, and he's certainly not worth £20m.
Author: Jaimie K
Yeah, I'm a bit worried about this one too. Can't really see how he fits into our team with Sterling, Coutinho, Lallana, Ibe and Suso all playing in a similar position. I know we're obviously going to lose Suarez so why aren't we spending our money on a top class replacement? The defence was our biggest problem last season, so I would of thought BR priority would be a couple of full backs and a centre back not spending £25m on Lallana and £20m on Markovic. I'll be honest, these two signings baffle me.
ReplyDeleteMarkovic will come out very well for us. Rogers will bring the best out of him
ReplyDeleteWith the players Rogers is going for, assuming he has plans for the defence, it seems like he may be planning to play a false No9 on occasions.
ReplyDeleteWe will have around 4 - 5 attacking midfielders who can all play in any position behind an attacker, but all can finish, and most seem extremely quick.
Now these will not play all games, but we will have 2 starting line ups which is exactly what we need.
Looking very promising, but again on the assumption we have a plan for the defence.
Could not agree more so true JK!!
ReplyDeleteAny praise from a guy who relegated with West Ham should be taken with a pinch of salt. The way his teams played even Moses would look like Reus.
ReplyDeleteHaha. Funny stuff. Moses, though - what a waste of a player. Total rubbish for Nigeria in the WC too.
ReplyDeletebr said last may liverpool calibre of player would be going up at least players that where as good as in 1st team and then some really top lads,well we have signed lallana lambert can. 1st 2 up to squad class, can dont know so much about wasting 30mil on markovic and origi is a waste of money in my eyes.plus talk of loaning back origi sure sign not good enough if so he be keeping,as for markovic he doesn't look in the same class as sterling even jordan ibe imo looks a better player plus coutinho,br waste's a terrible lot of money on players,that just aint good enough,all the money we seem to have and none of the top lads we where after want to sign i.e sanchez,shaqiri worries me.we need some defenders and pay as much as we can afford and try and get a top forward if there willing to come which i fear they wont be.so thats why he is going after likes of these lads who really dont look like being up to it at all.i know its early but so far nothing inspring coming to us so far,and lost 1 of the best in the world..
ReplyDeleteWhat signing aren't you skeptical about? Liverpool could sign Reus and you'd find something to cry about.
ReplyDeleteDont despair, we may have Ben Davies arriving from Swansea for £10m, that will teach Sevilla to overcharge for a left back, that should sort out our problems, :).
ReplyDeleteJK, Chelsea didn't exactly rate Sturridge either so I wouldn't go by that. Any player you buy will be a risk it's more about man management with this guy in my opinion. I haven't seen him play consistently so haven't really got a clue how good he really is but a few people do seem to rate him.
ReplyDeleteJK,
ReplyDeleteYou could easily be right here that Markovic may be over-hyped. In truth, we still can't sign the big players. Sanchez isn't coming, we whiffed on Rakitic and don't seem to be in the running for Arturo Vidal or any other difference makers to fill the Suarez scoring void or our defending midfield and defending voids. I am beginning to feel a void in the pit of my stomach that last year was our shot. Yes, we will get a boat load of cash for Suarez but I don't yet feel the inbound talent will either make up for the skills lost in Suarez.
Mixed about this transfer ,i reckon he's as good as sterling but I'd prefer someone experienced. Now origi there's a waste of money
ReplyDeleteOr Mata...or Lukaku. Yeah I don't put much stock in Mourinho's talent eye.
ReplyDeleteLots of options but Sterling up top with Sturridge might be the best.
ReplyDeleteWhy does it feel like when we sell a player we do it on the cheap, whereas when we buy a player we pay a premium. Something is seriously wrong with our negotiation skills.
ReplyDeleteSuarez is on par if not superior to Bale. So why the £75m figure Barcelona are apparently offering and not £100m. Why Lazar £20m, Llanana £25m, etc.. £30m for Sanchez seems a bargain for Arsenal..
Just very confused..
Again I'm going to wait until he's played for us before I criticise. People keep banging on about buying big name players but all players have to make a name somewhere. Prior to jurgen klopp putting that Dortmund team together that won the league twice and got to the champions league final, how many people had heard of their players? Gotze, Lewandowski etc became "big names" AT Dortmund. This means that even if they move on, the club are well compensated and in a strong position to replace them. It makes more sense than just buying a big name for the sake of it. Take Ozil, what has he done to justify his 42 million price tag?
ReplyDeleteCouthino, Sterling, Sturridge and Hendederson. If anyone can get Markovich to shine its Rodgers.
ReplyDeleteDon't think bale had a release clause in his contract whereas Suarez did
ReplyDeleteI've just read on the BBC gossip pages that Dnipro has told West Ham to RAISE their bid TO 12M for Konoplyanka! WTF? Didn't they demand 16-20 from us just last year? Also read Aspas is going to Sevilla and yes Suarez will go to Barca if the 75M can be agreed upon. Arsenal miffed because they can't have Sanchez until the Suarez deal is done.
ReplyDeleteEverybody seems to have bailed on Kono I wonder why, it can't be a coincidence.
ReplyDeleteAnd we should demand Sanchez or pedometer or Suarez deal off
Good points.
ReplyDeleteI heard a lot of comments saying he's a waste of money etc. from what I saw of him he looked technically sound and I think he has the attributes to make an impact at LFC. Let's see who back tracks if he's playing for us and not on loan this season.
ReplyDeleteSuarez is approaching 28 , that's the difference
ReplyDeleteSuso isn't going to be with us is he. Couthinho and Lallana are No.10s who can play wide. Sterling, Ibe, and Markovic are wide players who can play inside. All three could slot in as withdrawn strikers, too; Sterling could even play on the shoulder. It's hardly overloading the squad for a team that plays 4 or 5 attacking midfielders.
ReplyDeleteThis guy on ESPNFC.com reckons it's a great signing....I need some hope.
ReplyDeleteI always thought the decision to sell Maxi was nonsense...Now look at him..
ReplyDeleteHe wanted to go though. I liked him, but he was getting on an fancied going home.
ReplyDeleteI think selling Dirk was the bigger mistake. Would fit in with our current squad brilliantly. Good pro. Reliable. Experienced.
Shame Kenny cut him out prematurely which precipitated his desire to leave.
I think when Liverpool moved for Konoplyanka the football world collectively though "this fella might be good".
ReplyDeleteWhen Tottenham didn't try to hijack the move everyone decided "maybe not".
Rodgers will be the one to change Markovic's attitude for him. For the player it will obviously be a good move because in Portugal he may have gotten away with a lax attitude and maybe not pushing himself. Rodgers will insist on absolute dedication and there will be no doubts in the player's mind as to what he needs to do. Rodgers HAS talked to his signings this summer and he'll have had a conversation with Markovic so if he's been a bit under 100% in training in the past it will probably have been talked about.
ReplyDeleteAlso Liverpool really is a great place for young players. Sterling has been managed brilliantly and turned into a star for the club. Flanagan has grown into a proper first team player. Coutinho is a better player for Liverpool than he was for Inter. Henderson is not quite as youthful but he also found his best form under this current system. So if Markovic does what his manager asks him to do then he'll get chances to play and that should translate to some good performances on the pitch.
It's admittedly a bit underwhelming and a surprising price for a player who has achieved so little. I personally choose to believe that Rodgers and his staff have had a good look over the kid and seen something truly special, I can't imagine it being any other way. That doesn't translate to actual good performances and I'd be very surprised to see Markovic get significant time on the pitch this coming season outside of cup games. Maybe he'll be a wildcard off the bench for when Sterling runs out of steam. It will unquestionably be at least one season of learning for him and unless the club pick up a couple of top drawer players in the remaining transfer window we're not in a great position to cover for losing Suarez.
Makes lots of sense.
ReplyDeleteI think, BR has a distinctive plan for his starting XIV, bench & squad for 65+ games. He is fixing the Zig saw puzzle & I think the whole shape isn't clear to any of us yet. Surely he is not that fool not to understand our weaknesses in CB, WB & DM positions on top of a small matter of replacing someone Luis Suarez. He is probably strengthening the squad with very good potentials.
All his purchases (barring Lambert) has 3 common attributes (apart from young age) - pace, creativity & positional flexibility - players who can play in multiple positions. I believe, our business isn't over yet, just started - I am expecting at least 4 more signings, with one in the outrageous category: a pair of WBs, a CB & a top, top draw No. 9, someone not a target man, rather a dynamic CF; someone like Benzema or Muller. Once we have the money (still should be around 100mn), it 'll be a different ball game all together.
Jaimie, you forget that La Liga is a different league to the EPL. You refer to Aspas being absent for LFC? Look at Soldado who was one of La Liga's top strikers before he joined Spurs.
ReplyDeleteIf Aspas or Soldado had to go back to Spain they they will start scoring goals again. Both these players are clearly not suited to the EPL.
Yes, I've seen Markovich play several times. Reminds me a lot of Victor Moses in style and energy levels, but slimmer and slightly better in the air.
ReplyDeleteSounds sarcastic but would rather him over Bertrand.
ReplyDeleteRelease clause, age, bites.
ReplyDeleteThought Sanchez was £35m and Lullaby was £23.
Similar situation. Dirk knew he would be a starter and bought himself out of his contract.
ReplyDeleteOdd his work rate us what I have heard is one if his best qualities. Numerous sources.
ReplyDeleteWhen Suarez leaves the void will be 2 big to fill I'm afraid .. it will be like spurs last year .. Sanchez would of been an ideal replacement but sadly no .. I think Suarez made sturridge look better than he is 2 although he is very good still.. prove me wrong Brendan please with your transfers and man management
ReplyDeleteWe play with two attacking midfielders/wingers which was usually Sterling and Coutinho and we played with two strikers Sturridge and Suarez, with Gerrard and Henderson playing in front of the back four. If we get another striker in to replace Suarez which I expect us to do then that still leaves Lallana, Markovic, Coutinho, Sterling, Ibe and Suso fighting for two attacking midfield spots. We don't know what's happening with Suso yet, it's alright saying he isn't going to be with us but if nobody wants to buy him then he is going to be with us. I personally would keep him. I'm all for healthy competition but as I said earlier it seems like BR is strengthening the area we're already strong in.
ReplyDeleteFinally someone who gets it !
ReplyDeleteB Rodgers needs to tell I Ayre that unless the club get pedro(26) and 55M Cash the deal is off. And then we would see how stupid and cocky they have been selling L Suarez(27) shirts already when they are haggling over payments and already going to make killing on shirt sales.
ReplyDeleteAnd B Rodgers should still ship out these 12 players and bring club in 40M in sales: Huge Clear out is needed:
GK: B Jones P Reina CB S Coates CB K Toure
RB M Kelly RB G Johnson DM L Leiva AM Suso
CM C Coady RW O Assaidi FD: I Aspas FD F Borini
And then B Rodgers should bring in these defensive and attacking players to club:
Defensive: 73M Defensive stability:
1: GK: K Navas(27) Of Levante for 6-8M
2: CB: S Caulker(22) Of Cardiff for 7-9M
3: CB: D Lovren(24) Of Southampton for 18-21M
4: RB: S Aurier(21) Of Toulouse for 6-8M
5: CB: B Davies(20) Of Swansea for 6-9M
6: DM: B Matuidi(27) Of PSG for 12-18M
Attacking: 30M attack
CM: M Sissoko(24) Of Newcastle for 8-12M
LW: B Arfa(27) Of Newcastle for 5-8M
FD: L Remy(27) Of QPR for 8-10M
You statements are based on the assumption that we will set up as we did last season. Tactics and formation specifically geared towards accomadate and get the best from our two forwards.
ReplyDeleteWith Suarez all but out of the equation then it follows that our tactics will chage.
Rik Spurs finished three points worse off Las year than the year before and despite the difference in goals scored old Bale scored the winner in many more narrow victories than Shared. Of course you cannot factor how much a player means to a.team so easily but if we only fall one place I won't complain.
ReplyDeleteWe had our best season for years and finished 2nd scoring a 100 goals plus, why would we change our tactics? Yes Suarez is leaving but if we can get a player with the same style I think we'll set up exactly the same.
ReplyDeleteLets see him pay for us before we make judgments.
ReplyDeleteI honestly believe, even though the stats don't bare me out, that our defense doesn't need that much tweaking. Now before you have me committed...bare me out. Our defense isn't really a defense in the traditional sense we defend from the front with very intense pressing. And if the pressing is good then the defense isn't under pressure. Yes you are going to give away the odd soft goal, but that not reason enough to change the system. And I believe our pressing will only get better as the players come to grips with the system and develop the understanding to take it to the next level. So if we didn't buy another defender I for one wouldn't worry. What would concern me more is if, the team as a whole doesn't develop a better defensive understanding. Players will always make mistakes that lead to goals. We shouldn't look to reshape and strengthen just because a few goals look soft. But rather strengthen the defense from the front. ON that note, what was noticeable at the World Cup is that pressing is an accepted part of the modern game. Almost all teams do it, some better than others. But more importantly, teams like Spain, were caught out. It isn't a defensive technique for slow older men. But rather, fast, young and very hungry defenders. Here I think of teams like Chile. Last night the Dutch were pretty good at smothering the ball carrier, closing down the space, this too is another form of offensive defense. All carried out by attacking players, leading from the front.
ReplyDeleteThere is a player with the same style as LS? Dont know..
ReplyDeleteBrao brate Srbine...
ReplyDeleteI agree it's going to be really hard to find someone like Suarez but we have to get someone in. Sanchez would of been my preferred option but it looks like that ship has sailed.
ReplyDeleteWe will change formation, style because we can't find another LS. But I am certain we will be even better...
ReplyDeleteI know it was Dirk's choice to leave, but I think that had Kenny played him more he would've stayed. In those days I think he still warranted being a starter. Probably what made him antsy, Had we gradually phased him out the first team he'd probably have been more content with rotation, I imagine.
ReplyDeleteNice post but -- achieved so little? Markovic was one of the oustanding players in a highly-regarded team which just won the domestic treble in Portugal and, perhaps more relevantly, reached the Europa cup final, their second in a row; a season in which they beat Spurs, AZ, Juventus, and PSG on their way. Markovic was suspended for the final... quite a story there if you're looking for ammunition on his notional attitude problems.
ReplyDeleteWatching the Spurs game for a direct comparison between Markovic and Eriksen is interesting, partly because they mark each other a lot of the time. Markovic plays much deeper than you might have expected. He's frequently the deepest-lying of the Benfica midfield and playing facing his own goal. He plays centrally, moving from a deep anchoring position to a classic No. 10 when his team are in possession, to striker when the team are breaking: he's willing to run in behind the opposition, which is exciting to see, especially when he comes from so deep at pace. He doesn't chase or press much. He comes alive when the ball comes to him or when his side win possession in midfield, and travels at an astonishing, Walcott-esque speed, with electrifying technique when it's at his feet. Benfica's game plan was to pick Spurs off and use Markovic to finish counters from deep. It worked brilliantly and Markovic was central to its effectiveness. The game was quite comfortable for Benfica really.
Eriksen had a fair game by and large -- he was much more involved with play than Markovic on the whole. But it was Eriksen who lost possession for the first Benfica goal, and Markovic who set up the break from which they score. Unlike Markovic, who was moving with the play the whole time, Eriksen played in his own time and space, sometimes seeming to drift through the game, perhaps lacking instructions to handle every situation. He needs players to run the game for him, so he can contribute his elegant touches; Markovic with his pace and alertness would make an impact in any side.
I'd compare Markovic to someone like Kroos: a modern central midfielder / playmaker capable of fulfilling a number of roles, with a striker's pace and directness. He looks an extraordinary player but he'll have to learn to work harder if he comes to England; some of his positional play is lacklustre; Spurs are able to pass round his screens too easily too often. Haven't seen enough of him to evaluate his own passing. Is it something he's known for?
I agree that the price is an eyebrow-raiser. Benfica paid about E6m for Markovic just a year ago in a bizarre transfer in which Chelsea seemed to be involved in some way. To inflate that to E20m in just a year seems extraordinary. Something up with that. Perhaps we are paying off a Chelsea part-ownership, perhaps through an agent or something.
I have the day off work as you can see.
ReplyDeleteGood points. Dirk is not the kind of technical player Rodgers likes but as for work rate you can't find one better. I think he could have done a job for us which is a shame really Mad we were playing Spearing centrally at stages when we had Hendo and Maxi and Kuyt could have played on the wing.
ReplyDeleteHe was/is part owned. Who by I don't know.
ReplyDeleteEriksen scored a pretty free kick though.
ReplyDeleteRodgers is wasting £20m in a player like Markovic.Instead he should buy Shaquiri or Marco Reus
ReplyDelete