Markovic: Me and Rodgers were fine – then he changed
Date published: Tuesday 2nd February 2016 9:52
Lazar Markovic has further discussed his difficulties in breaking through at Liverpool under Brendan Rodgers.
Winger Markovic was loaned out to Fenerbahce at the start of the season by Rodgers after struggling somewhat in his breakthrough campaign. The Serbian was signed from Benfica for £20million in summer 2014, but could not hold down a regular first-team place.
Markovic has previously described his relationship with Rodgers, who was sacked as manager in October, as ‘a problem’, while he also explained why he was unhappy at Anfield.
Markovic has two goals in 18 appearances in Turkey, and has spoken further about his struggles at Anfield to Fenerbahce’s monthly magazine.
“I had no problem with Brendan Rodgers and we had a bond until, for some reason that remains a mystery to me, he changed,” the 21-year-old told Fanatik.
“He stopped playing me and then at the start of the season he didn’t even include me in the squad, and nobody explained to me what was going on or what his plans were, so I decided to leave.”
With Markovic pushed to the fringes of the first team, the young winger explains that he was the one—and not Rodgers or the transfer committee—who pushed for a loan move for the season in the hopes of finding more playing time and to avoid having his development stalled completely.
Liverpool are believed to have enquired with Fenerbahce about terminating Markovic’s loan early but with no clause in the agreement setting out a termination fee, it is believed the Turkish club’s demands for sending the youngster back to Anfield were too high for Liverpool to seriously consider.
Markovic will return to Liverpool at the end of the season. So far, he has had a decent if unspectacular return, scoring two goals and three assists for Fenerbahce in 19 appearances. Only looking at total minutes, he has seen a little more than 12 games worth of action in all competitions this season.
Date published: Tuesday 2nd February 2016 9:52
Lazar Markovic has further discussed his difficulties in breaking through at Liverpool under Brendan Rodgers.
Winger Markovic was loaned out to Fenerbahce at the start of the season by Rodgers after struggling somewhat in his breakthrough campaign. The Serbian was signed from Benfica for £20million in summer 2014, but could not hold down a regular first-team place.
Markovic has previously described his relationship with Rodgers, who was sacked as manager in October, as ‘a problem’, while he also explained why he was unhappy at Anfield.
Markovic has two goals in 18 appearances in Turkey, and has spoken further about his struggles at Anfield to Fenerbahce’s monthly magazine.
“I had no problem with Brendan Rodgers and we had a bond until, for some reason that remains a mystery to me, he changed,” the 21-year-old told Fanatik.
“He stopped playing me and then at the start of the season he didn’t even include me in the squad, and nobody explained to me what was going on or what his plans were, so I decided to leave.”
With Markovic pushed to the fringes of the first team, the young winger explains that he was the one—and not Rodgers or the transfer committee—who pushed for a loan move for the season in the hopes of finding more playing time and to avoid having his development stalled completely.
Liverpool are believed to have enquired with Fenerbahce about terminating Markovic’s loan early but with no clause in the agreement setting out a termination fee, it is believed the Turkish club’s demands for sending the youngster back to Anfield were too high for Liverpool to seriously consider.
Markovic will return to Liverpool at the end of the season. So far, he has had a decent if unspectacular return, scoring two goals and three assists for Fenerbahce in 19 appearances. Only looking at total minutes, he has seen a little more than 12 games worth of action in all competitions this season.
