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Is Markovic An Alternative to Lallana?

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Lazar Markovic (Benfica)With Liverpool’s bid for Adam Lallana seemingly doomed to failure (what is it with the Reds’ top transfer targets?), it has been reported last night and today that Brendan Rodger’s is turning his attentions elsewhere, as the search for top talent to compliment Liverpool’s already talented front-line continues.

One target who’s name has appeared again and again in the past 24 hours is Benfica starlet, Lazar Markovic. The Serbian international has only one season at the Portuguese club under his belt but is already sought after by a raft of top European sides, with LFC looking to be one of those.

The 20 year old enjoyed a good season for the Portuguese champions, scoring 7 goals in 49 appearances to help propel his club to glory on a number of fronts.

Already capped 12 times (scoring twice) by Serbia, the young winger-cum-striker seems to have a very bright future ahead of him and while his signing would no doubt be welcomed, it’s debatable as to whether he would provide a viable alternative to Lallana at the present time.

His only previous two professional seasons came for Partizan Belgrade in a league not renowned for it’s competitive edge and his one season in one of Europe’s bigger leagues, again, came in what can be considered one of European football’s ‘second-tier’ competitions, with the Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue 1 roundly considered the cream of the crop.

Whether Markovic could make that step up is still open to question, whereas had he spent a season in any of those other leagues you may have had more faith that he had what it took to make an immediate impact.

This may all seem a little unfair for a talented youngster, but when he is being touted for a fee in the region of £20-25 million, you have to really ensure you’re getting value for money and that just seems too big a risk for what is, at this stage, a talented but unproven at the top level young player.

On the other hand, in Lallana, Liverpool are guaranteed a proven top-level player who is off to the World Cup with his country and has – like Rickie Lambert before him – proven himself at every level and at 26 is soon to be reaching his peak.

There is no doubt that if Southampton are asking for upwards of £25-30 million for Lallana then Liverpool should look elsewhere but is chasing an unproven 20 year old for more or less the same value really sensible? Particularly when a player of Cesc Fabregas’ quality can be attained for barely £5 million more?

What do you think, is Lallana Liverpool’s prime target or would Markovic provide a suitable alternative?

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I'm a 32 year old Liverpool fan, living in the heart of the City Centre. I've supported the club since the day I was born and have been writing articles for L4L for over 3 years, writing close over 350 articles in that time. My favorite player of the past generation is Sami Hyypia.

I am the current editor for L4L, with my day job being in R&D for the NHS.

13 comments

  • robyroy says:

    adam Lallana is our first choice because he is a quality player & prove already. BR should not miss him

    • norton says:

      one good season with Southampton doesn’t make him proven, reminds me of Beneyoun

  • roythered says:

    Marovic has more potential than Lallana. I like Lallana but would’nt get stung by Southampton for him £18Million tops for me. Markovic, technically gifted, 6-7 younger, sure to make the step to Prem league…uhmm…what happened to Konoplyanka?

  • elias says:

    xedan shaqiri is a good option than both…

  • mawanda vicente says:

    lets go wth levic

  • ant says:

    Lallana has proven in the premier league over 2 years, other players are a gamble no matter what people say

  • MaZe says:

    Shaqiri is the best option out there.. Lallana is hyped and Lazar is too big a risk.

  • Erin says:

    Lalana is proven…at what level? League one, championship and now pl . Good player, but 30 million? Chelsea paid 33 for Diego costa, we pay the same for lalana! Go figure.

    Rakitic, bid 30 million and see if Sevilla likes it. 2 players we are after, Moreno, Rakitic 50 million. Simple as that. I’d be happy to call it close of business. No more deadwood. Bring back Suso, wisdom to add depth and use Texeira when we can. No point buying players/overpaying with 0 improvement. One signing can make more difference to the team than 5 . See Suarez, coutinho and sturridge. I’m not going to name the numerous others.

    Ive only seen that guy once. Looks ok, no world beater.

  • pino pino says:

    So were Downing,Carroll and Hendo even Adam.

  • pino pino says:

    All were proven in epl b4 we signed them.I believe that good players perform anywhere.Oscar came from Brazil but doing well 4 chelski.

  • Roger says:

    Lallana is a good player. We have to admit that. He has ambition to play in UCL. Good for him. But 30m£ without experience? That’s too much when Costa, Mata are just 2m£ or 3m£ above him. And the Saints want us to wait after WC. They are just waiting for the whole world to see him and Shaw in action and hope to increase thier value. Its nothing to do with wait for new manager’s appointment. Its just simple business.

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