After a 2015/16 season dogged with injuries, Lazar Markovic has been forced to pull out of Serbia’s squad for their summer fixtures.
Markovic made just 21 appearances on loan with Fenerbahce last season, making his final outing in a cameo role in Thursday night’s 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray in the Turkish Cup final.
That clash saw the 22-year-old end a 105-day spell on the sidelines with a hamstring injury that recurred throughout the campaign.
Initially called up to Radovan Curcic’s preliminary squad for this summer’s friendlies against Israel and Russia, Markovic’s hopes of making progress appear to have been dashed.
The Serbian FA announced on Sunday afternoon that the winger had left Serbia’s training camp following discussions with Curcic.
This marks the third injury Markovic has suffered in 2015/16, and casts considerable doubt over the former Benfica star’s future at Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp has expressed a desire to welcome Markovic back into his squad for next season, but following a year hampered with injuries, whether he can justify his inclusion is questionable.
With the Reds facing a significantly reduced schedule next season having failed to qualify for European competition, Klopp’s squad will likely be streamlined.
Markovic’s English counterpart, Jordon Ibe, is already rumoured to have been offered to clubs this summer, with Klopp instead looking to the transfer market to inject quality into his squad.
Southampton winger Sadio Mane is reported to be Klopp’s alternative to priority target Mario Gotze.
Markovic could represent an in-house solution on the right wing, but this new injury will be cause for concern for his new manager.
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