Sometimes Lazar Markovic seems somewhat cursed. In 2014 as Benfica got through in the Europa League semi-final against Juventus, tensions between the two benches were rising.
Jorge Jesus was Benfica manager at the time, and he loves a row. cross words turned into handbags and Mirko Vucinic and Lazar Markovic were pinpointed by referee Mark Clattenburg for red cards.
Markovic had only just come off the pitch, he’d probably have been better staying there, as the trouble was on the bench and the red card saw Markovic, an important player for Benfica, miss the final.
Benfica lost to Sevilla.
Moving to Liverpool the same summer, Markovic received a four game ban for flicking his fingers towards the face of Behrang Safari. Those were two incidents in which Markovic hadn’t done a great deal, but both were blows to his career so far.
Then there’s the injuries, which have also hampered Markovic in recent years, not to mention managerial changes. One of those changes however did work in his favour as Jorge Jesus moved from Benfica to fierce rivals Sporting.
Recruiting Markovic from Liverpool on loan, Jesus hasn’t seemed entirely sure how to get the best out of him, and how to get Markovic back to his top level. The frustration showed last week when Jesus lashed out at international call-ups.
He was angry that Markovic had been away with Serbia, but not got on the pitch, saying it had been more like a ‘vacation’ for the player.
Since then Markovic has spoken to Portuguese newspaper A Bola, and was asked to address why he joined Sporting, given the Benfica rivalry. Markovic made it clear that he’s only on loan, and aiming for a Liverpool return.
“I came because of the coach and president, who insisted on hiring me. My main goal was not to be sitting on the bench, I’m young and I need games. So I accepted, but I continue to be a Liverpool player on loan.”
The Portuguese newspaper point out that for Markovic to have a Liverpool future, and for him to show Jurgen Klopp he’s a player needed in the squad, that he must succeed at Sporting.
