Official: Markovic Joins Anderlecht on Loan

The Serbian will spend the last six months of his Liverpool contract in Belgium.

After permanent and loan deals — with Wolfsburg and Swansea, respectively — fell through, it looked as though Lazar Markovic would finish his Liverpool contract the same way it had been going for the last two and a half years; stuck in the reserves, nowhere near a first team spot.

Instead, relief has come from the most unexpected of places, as — with 20 minutes to go in the window — Belgian top side Anderlecht have swooped in to secure a six-month loan deal for the Serbian, effectively ending his Anfield career. The Paars-wit are long shots for the title in the Jupiler League, but will be looking for Markovic to contribute in their bid to qualify for Europe.

Following his £20m move from Benfica in 2014, it was expected that Markovic would blossom into an attacking star under Brendan Rodgers. Instead, an inability to regularly produce on the field, paired with inconsistency in training quickly saw him drop down the depth chart, and by the time Jürgen Klopp arrived, Markovic was well out of the first team picture.

Fruitless loans to Fenerbahçe, Sporting and Hull City simply postponed the inevitable, and now, a fourth loan in three years marks the 23-year old’s exit from Merseyside. He leaves the club having managed less than 1900 minutes over 34 apperances in all competitions, scoring three goals, and having never featured in a Klopp team.

Bienvenue Lazar Markovic!

Welkom Lazar Markovic!

Welcome Lazar Markovic!

⚽️ #RSCA #COYM #WelcomeMarkovic pic.twitter.com/FJekr9Ya3V

— RSC Anderlecht (@rscanderlecht) January 31, 2018

It wasn’t all a waste, though. We did get the greatest volley that almost was and the Wickham reaction to match.

Good luck in your future endeavors, Lazar Beams. YNWA.

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com