Who knows why Lazar Markovic refused to put pen to paper on his permanent move away from Liverpool?
A concern over playing time can’t possibly be the reason for Markovic’s failure to agree to personal terms with Anderlecht on Friday.
The winger remains a Liverpool player but the fact that he hasn’t featured for the Reds since May 2015 would suggest that he won’t play a minute under Jurgen Klopp this season.
Markovic looked destined to return to Anderlecht after spending the second half of last season on loan with the Belgian side and even travelled to Brussels on deadline to put the finishing touches to the deal.
A fee of £2.9 million had been agreed between the clubs but at the eleventh hour, Markovic had a change of heart and decided to return to Liverpool, where he has now entered the final year of his contract.
Anderlecht manager Hein Vanhaezebrouck has pointed the finger of blame directly at the 24-year-old for the deal falling through.
“Our president and sports director did everything to convince Markovic,” Vanhaezebrouck said.
“They waited until Liverpool lowered the price. They almost made a crazy effort for the player, but it wasn’t enough. It’s his own fault that the deal fell through.”
Markovic has since responded to the Anderlecht boss by insisting that money was not the motivating factor in his decision to pull out of the move.
Thank you for making such a great effort for trying to get me back in the club. However, money was not the issue !!!!! Good luck in the future 💜 @rscanderlecht
— Lazar Marković (@LMarkec50) September 3, 2018
So if money wasn’t the reason and football wasn’t the reason, what convinced Markovic to walk away from the chance to bring an end to his forgettable four years with the Reds?
