Lazar Markovic Underlines Status as Rising Star for Liverpool Against Sunderland

Liverpool continued their improved form with a 1-0 win at Sunderland in the Premier League, with Lazar Markovic's ninth minute goal proving the match-winner.

The Serbian winger was the standout performer for the Reds and comfortably the man of the match.

The win sees Liverpool remain in eighth position, but now only four points behind fourth place—admittedly having played an extra game. Had they not lost a two-goal lead in their last league match, at home to Leicester City, they'd be in joint-fifth.

First Half

Liverpool were far superior in the first half, absolutely dominant in the early exchanges—with Markovic particularly dangerous in the wide right role.

The Serbian switched sides in Liverpool's XI, with Alberto Moreno coming in to the side on the left.

Markovic should have had a penalty inside the opening minutes when Wes Brown clattered him just inside the box. It was the proverbial "stonewall" penalty, but referee Craig Pawson gave nothing.

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Thankfully, Pawson did better soon after when he gave advantage after a clear foul on Fabio Borini just outside the box. Markovic, who started the move out wide, continued his run into the box, picked up the loose ball and his sheer persistence and running allowed him to poke past Costel Pantilimon.

It was just reward for the 20-year-old, whose pace was causing problems for Sunderland left-back Patrick van Aanholt.

Markovic almost added his and Liverpool's second not long after with a spectacular volleyed effort from the edge of the box, his strike hitting the frame of the goal to deny him what might have been a goal of the season contender.

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Markovic was enjoying himself, and due to the system which Liverpool were using (3-4-2-1), was getting plenty of space to run into ahead of him down the right hand side.

Equally impressive though was his defensive contribution, working hard to get back when not in possession and putting in good challenges to win the ball back high up the pitch. It was a stark contrast to any performance from usual right-back Glen Johnson this season.

"

Man of the Match: Lazar Markovic. 1 goal 3 shots 1 key pass 90% pass accuracy 6 take-ons 4 tackles won. pic.twitter.com/PeHpfSNiY2

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 10, 2015"

Second half

Owing to Steven Gerrard's half-time removal due to injury, which saw Dejan Lovren replace the captain, Markovic was then moved into a different role.

Having excelled out wide and been by far Liverpool's most dangerous threat, revelling in the space afforded to him in front of the opposing left-back, Markovic was far less influential in a more central role in the second 45.

It was baffling that Brendan Rodgers opted to change the roles of Markovic and Emre Can, who had been very effective down Liverpool's right side in the opening 45. It certainly affected the team's flow and rhythm—somehow conspiring to make life difficult against 10 men.

Markovic

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Overall, this was a super performance from Markovic, picking up his first Premier League goal in the process, adding to his goal at Bournemouth in the League Cup last month.

He's growing in confidence, showing huge signs of improvement from his early games when he struggled physically and looked shy of taking his opportunities in front of goal.

Liverpool are a team short of genuine flair players and match-winners at present, even more so when Gerrard departs across the Atlantic in the summer, so it's pleasing to see Markovic growing in stature.

Credit should go to Rodgers for having faith to play Markovic in the wide wing-back/midfielder role—initially on the left in the aforementioned game against Bournemouth—and credit should go to Markovic for adopting to it so quickly.

Gerrard's injury, although we don't know the extent of it yet, could mean Markovic continuing in a central role for the Reds' next match, when Raheem Sterling will also return up front.

Looking ahead, and when Daniel Sturridge returns, it's an exciting prospect to have Markovic on the right with Philippe Coutinho and Sterling behind Sturridge.

Markovic's improvements this campaign somewhat personify Liverpool's season; struggling initially and now growing in stature—hopefully to end the campaign on a positive note.