WIGAN, ENGLAND - Sunday, July 17, 2016: Liverpool's Lazar Markovic in action against Wigan Athletic during a pre-season friendly match at the DW Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Lazar Markovic set to remain a Liverpool player despite interest from Turkey

Liverpool winger Lazar Markovic is reportedly unlikely to make a deadline-day move to Super Lig side Fenerbahce, despite his lowly role at Anfield.

The Turkish transfer window closes on midnight on Friday, and Markovic is said to be “ready to return” to the Istanbul club, where he spent 2015/16 on loan.

Markovic was unable to seal a move away before the end of the English window, with Watford having been expected to make a loan bid following his impressive spell with Hull City.

He was subsequently named in Jurgen Klopp‘s 25-man squad for the Premier League, but was left out of the German’s selection for the Champions League.

Now, according to the Liverpool Echo, the Reds “do not expect the Serbia international to depart.”

The 23-year-old is therefore “set to remain a Liverpool player until at least January.”

Whether he will be involved in the first-team remains to be seen, with Klopp only using him in the first pre-season friendly at Tranmere this summer and not featuring in the squads for the Reds’ trips to Hong Kong or Germany.

But Klopp’s side could play 27 times over the next four months, averaging a game every 4.2 days, dividing their time between the league, Champions League, FA Cup and the League Cup.

Markovic could feasibly be called upon in cup competitions, with Klopp required to rotate to keep his first-team options fresh.

BIRKENHEAD, ENGLAND - Wednesday, July 12, 2017: Liverpool's Ryan Kent in action against Tranmere Rovers during a preseason friendly match at Prenton Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The No. 50’s opportunities increased following the decision to send both Ryan Kent (SC Freiburg) and Divock Origi (VfL Wolfsburg) out on loan at the end of last week.

Sheyi Ojo had already joined Fulham on a temporary basis, with Klopp sanctioning the departures of three wide options.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain went on to arrive in a £35 million move from Arsenal, and the 24-year-old can be expected to serve as cover for both Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.

But Markovic could well be required at times, particularly if Liverpool remain in both cup competitions.

Their first outing in the League Cup comes at Leicester City on September 19, three days after the home league clash with Burnley and four days before another trip to the KC Stadium.

Having Markovic available to deputise would be useful, as the Serb does possess the raw qualities needed to operate in one of the wide roles in Klopp’s forward line.

There have remained question marks over his work rate and commitment in training, however, so he will face a fight to convince Klopp his long-term future remains on Merseyside.

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