Lazar Markovic Deserves Time to Prove Himself at Liverpool

Liverpool suffered another injury scare during the international break when Lazar Markovic limped out of Serbia's 1-1 draw with Armenia on Saturday.

Initial reports suggested the 20-year-old attacker would be sidelined for two to three weeks, but he has recovered to train on Monday and should feature against Albania on Tuesday.

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Lazar Markovic trained today and is expected to play tomorrow pic.twitter.com/PC9l1gWv5i

— Serbian Football (@SerbianFooty) October 13, 2014"

News of Markovic's injury and possible time out were met by lamen fans on social media stating that he wouldn't be a great loss.

Admittedly Markovic hasn't impressed in his six appearances so far, but those fans miss the obvious fact that he's better off being fit in order to actually improve.

Last week the new signing admitted it may take time for him to settle at Liverpool and in the Premier League.  "You know how things go in football, I’m getting there and adjusting well," he was quoted in The Liverpool Echo."It will take a little more time but, all in all, I feel okay."

So Far

To say Markovic's performances for Liverpool so far have been a little underwhelming would be fair, but that would be without adding context.

Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

The former Benfica attacker has been thrust into a side struggling themselves to come to terms with the events of last season and departure of Luis Suarez, and Markovic has been used in a completely new-look attack alongside fellow new signing Mario Balotelli and Raheem Sterling. Markovic isn't the only player who has lacked any fluidity.

Yes, Markovic has looked lightweight at times, especially defensively, and has bizarrely turned down several good shooting opportunities, but to make assessments based upon four starts would be extremely harsh—and premature.

Liverpool haven't won a game in which Markovic has started, but that isn't just due to his struggles. That also misses the fact one of those was a Merseyside derby and another was the club's first away Champions League game in five years.

Give Him Time

There are numerous examples of players being judged too soon, especially youngsters.

Look no further than Jordan Henderson. He joined the club for a similar price tag and at a similar age (both were actually 20 when they signed) and joined a team in transition. Hendo was played out of position on the right of midfield by Kenny Dalglish and struggled to find form.

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Markovic has been used on the right of Liverpool's attack by Rodgers so far, either in a 4-3-3  shape or a 4-2-3-1. The return of Daniel Sturridge will likely see Brendan Rodgers return to a 4-4-2 midfield diamond, and thus another system change for Markovic to assimilate to.

Here we have a 20-year-old attacker attempting to acclimatise to a new country, new club, new culture, new team-mates and new systems of play. Yet fans judge harshly.

"With young Markovic it's taking time with him," Rodgers explained. "He's in a new country and he's getting used to a new way of life and he's just getting accustomed to the physicality of this league having come from Portugal where it's totally different." 

Markovic's best performance for the club so far was actually his debut as sub at Manchester City when he played the last half an hour on the left of attack, linking well with Alberto Moreno. That is a role that he could begin to find form in, as an impact sub.

Chances will arrive over this next month too, with Liverpool facing seven games in 21 days. With the furore over Raheem Sterling needing to be rested too, Markovic is a good option to replace the youngster on occasion.

Rodgers is a manager who has a proven record at developing players, Markovic has the attributes and qualities required to develop into a quality attacker. It may take time for him to prove himself but he wasn't signed with making an immediate impact in mind.

"Sometimes you can hit the ground running and sometimes it takes a wee bit of time," proffered Rodgers—and there are plenty of examples of each.