Liverpool winger Lazar Markovic hits out at Brendan Rodgers as it emerges club cannot recall him

The young Serbian was frustrated by his lack of opportunities in his first year at Anfield

Lazar Markovic during pre-season training with Liverpool (Getty Images)

Lazar Markovic has hit out at former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers for not giving him enough opportunities during his first season at Anfield.

The Serbian winger, who was loaned out to Fenerbahce, arrived on Merseyside in the summer of 2014 in a £20m deal from Benfica.

Despite his much-hyped move, Markovic initially found it difficult to break into the first team under Rodgers and was handed only seven league appearances before Christmas.

The 21-year-old featured more regularly in the second half of the season but was often utilised in a wing-back role, following his manager’s implementation of a 3-4-2-1 formation.

“I didn’t have a good relationship with the coach,” Markovic told Portuguese newspaper A Bola. “That was a problem. I played in many positions but didn’t play in mine.”

Jurgen Klopp, who replaced Rodgers in the Anfield dugout a fortnight ago, is rumoured to appreciate Markovic’s talents and would like to cut the youngster’s loan spell in Turkey short.

However, according to a report by the Liverpool Echo, Liverpool cannot recall him before the end of the season.

Markovic’s representatives had believed that their client could return to Merseyside as early as January. Klopp will, however, have to wait before he can include Markovic in his rebuilding of the club.