In July 2014, when Lazar Markovic arrived at Liverpool as Brendan Rodgers' latest signing - his new boss showered the winger with praise.
He said that he liked "the way he [Markovic] attacks games and is always positive and looking to make things happen." The Northern Irishman added that Markovic is "the sort of character who is hungry to get better and progress," which is something he and his backroom staff looked for in a new signing at the time.
Only one year on, he fits his stature in Rodgers' squad, slightly different after the pre-season performances of the likes of Jordon Ibe and Adam Lallana, who play in similar attacking positions to the 21-year-old.
"Markovic will fit in with the way we play at Liverpool. Getting him at such a young age is very pleasing for us because we'll be able to work with him, develop his talent and improve him even further." Brendan Rodgers, July 2014
English duo Ibe and Lallana may have shone in the preseason, but it is difficult to gauge whether that means anything for Markovic's chances in the team.
He does not seem favoured by Rodgers despite the lofty words the Northern Irishman used about him when he was first signed.
As things stand now, it would be difficult to argue that the Serbian deserves a slot in the first team ahead of the pair.
This has nothing to do with talent though. Ibe’s reputation is soaring because of the displays during pre-season, but his output has been accentuated by the fact that there is the desire among Liverpool fans to prove life without Sterling is just fine. So every step-over or goal or burst of pace is treated with religious fervour.
Lallana got two goals and put in some good displays in the 370 plus minutes he played in pre-season. Meanwhile Markovic got barely 60 minutes of game time in the “competitive" pre-season matches. The context therefore makes it difficult to play up the output of the Lallana and Ibe and discount the Serbian’s ability.
Markovic not given a fair chance in pre-season
After his impressive display in the first match against the Thai select side, Markovic earned more plaudits from the manager. He "broke forward very well" and applied an "excellent finish" which pleased Rodgers, or so he said. He added that his first year at the club was about adapting and that now, this season, he can "really push on."
The expectation was that he would be afforded the chance to build on that performance. That didn’t happen. The use of the squad during the matches of pre-season was controversial to say the least. A select few got lots of minutes whilst a host had scanty or none at all.
It is true it is important to use such matches to build a cohesive starting eleven, but it is equally as true that options have got to be tested. Chances have to be offered to fringe players to stake their claim in the team. That did not happen this year. Again, given this context, it is misleading to use pre-season to play up the talents of Ibe and Lallana and use same to question Markovic's.
Winger still has a lot to give
In fact, Markovic is as talented if not more talented than Ibe and Lallana. His decision-making, pace, dribbling abilities and game sense is impressive. Ibe may have a lot of skills and pace but he has a lot to improve on as far as his decision-making, and especially his final ball, is concerned. Lallana has the infuriating penchant to dilly dally on ball, which can kill momentum of the Reds' attacking plays.
By contrast, Markovic was shot on confidence during large spells of last season. But that is something that can be fixed. When his confidence was intact early on in the season, his cameo against Manchester City at the Etihad gave fans a positive in a match that was strewn with disappointment.
His effort against Basel at Anfield was a classic show of confidence, even though his time on the pitch was abruptly terminated by a harsh red card. He seemed the most determined player in red on that night and would have likely made a telling impact had it not been for his controversial sending off.
His goal against Bournemouth, the simple yet perceptive pass to Mario Balotelli at Old Trafford to set up the striker - who was denied a goal at close-range by David De Gea, his sensational makeshift volley at Sunderland which crashed off the cross bar, as well as his goal against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield all give glimpse of his talent despite the difficulty he endured in his first season.
There is so much hype about Lallana being a technically gifted footballer. But Markovic’s technical ability is arguably superior and is definitely underrated.
In playing his way into the Europa League team of the year in 2013/14 season, he earned great acclaim for his technique and pace. The technical report on that competition made the following note said that, though his missed the final through suspension, "his eye-catching speed and technical ability on the flanks in earlier ties ensured his place (in the All Star team)."
Is Lallana unfairly preferred to Markovic?
This is the kid Liverpool has on its hands but unfortunately hasn't afforded the game time to develop into that something special his talent can develop into. He is still only 21 years old, six years the junior of Lallana. He definitely has a higher ceiling to improve and develop and though Lallana has more Premier League experience, that was hardly evident from his displays as he struggled as much as the Serbian rookie.
Crucially he has also had more game time than Markovic to get going, yet his stats are not superior to the Serbian’s. His key pass per game is 1.2 as against Markovic’s 1.1; dribbling per game -1.1 for both, bad control per game - 1.5 for Lallana against the Serb's 1.3. Lallana makes 0.4 interceptions per game against Markovic’s 0.8. Tackles per game for Lallana is 1.7 as against the Serbian’s 1.3, the two players record 0.1 blocks per game. Their pass success rate was identical; 82.5% for Lallana and 81.25% for Markovic. Lallana however scored five goals and had three assists in 27 league matches as against Markovic’s two goals and an assist in 19 appearances. But that should be put in the context of Lallana having close to twice the game time Markovic enjoyed.
Despite his price tag and experience, Lallana required consistent game time against average teams in pre-season to get fans believing he can justify some of his transfer fees. Ibe has been lively since being recalled from Derby County. Consistent game time is improving him and has gotten fans excited.
The talent of Markovic needs the trust of the manager and consistent game time. Given the opportunity, he will come good. There is too much talent in him not to be a part of a generation of really talented Liverpool stars. There are enough games in the course of the season, and his ability to play in a number of roles (on the wings as well as off the striker as he did against Spurs), should stand him in good stead to get games. And when he does it won’t be long for Rodgers to be making comments like he did away at Bournemouth.
There, he called Markovic "brilliant" and that his aggressiveness had improved greatly. He labelled the 21-year-old an outstanding player, who is defensively as capable as he is getting forward. He hailed all of his abilities, in pressing and speed and movement. Yet ever since, he's found opportunities hard to come by. Maybe if he's given more chances this season, we'll hear more about the true player Markovic can become.