sorry I meant as in it was an open vote online. I've heard of clubs doing it via panels or random selection of club members. His decision making is still definitely one of the things he needs to improve, the other being his tendency to lack motivation in not big games. Whether or not it will be a problem remains to be seen. I think his recent good form has shown that he is capable of performing at a top level even with his current mistakes, but in order to really, really, hit the ground running and become a top top player - we may need to see some Rodgers magic. His efforts this year have probably cut down on the time it will take him to iron out those flaws in his game. He might need a season to hit top gear but his current level is still more than good enough for a top English team. His motivation though will be boosted by playing for Liverpool.
Then we'll have to convince him that every game's a big game then. #toptopplayer Why do you think he'll have more motivation at Liverpool? Prestige?
Everything i have read about him (and clips i have seen) agree with this, i even know somebody who claims to have seen a lot of him (dodgy sattelite), but i would urge you all to temper your expectations as it was in the Portugese league (means nothing as Ronaldo came from there).
Quick rant (not a pop at you Nozzer). Players should look at every game as a "big" game, you get 3 points in the league for beating Chelsea/City, you get the same 3 points for beating Cardiff/Leicester. In cup games you get to the next round if you win no matter if it is Arsenal you beat or Bury. Every game is a "big" game if you want to win something!
I had doubts but the more I read the more I like. Lets hope he continues tinto the season and impreses u and justifies his price tag and reputation.
Put it this way. A Serbian's dream is to one day play for Partizan or Red Star. Not Real, or Barcelona, or Liverpool or United. The ultimate local dream is to score in a cauldron of flares, tempers, and become a hero to half of the country or a villain to the other half. Once they get there though, in today's age, they are hit with the underwhelming reality of our football. If you're any good you're sold after a season or two to the first team that offers you money - from Germany to Georgia. If you're awful you're eventually kept until you get fed up with not receiving your pay and leave. At this point these talented youngsters realise they have to leave the country, go abroad, and pick a new career goal. Some top European team that will offer them glory. Unfortunately for them they often have to join a smaller team first - because who is going to risk big bucks on unproven Serbian players? For every Jovetic there is a Jovanovic. Markovic went to Benfica probably not because of his own will but because he was pretty much owned by Falji Ramadani. To him, Benfica wasn't the best destination he could have gotten. Portugal isn't the most exciting footballing country and their league has seen better days. Benfica vs. Vitoria Guimaraes or Arouca hardly inspires television viewers to recognize his talent. All that aside he still went along and had a great time with the fellow Serbs there and I'm sure he appreciated how much the fans there love football. It's just hard to get motivated to play for a team that is no better than your previous one in the CL (ok so they actually play in the group stages but have no chance of progressing). Coming to Liverpool is finally the top destination he will find, a club at the top challenging for the top. No more cup fights vs. Belenenses, instead playing Premier League clubs every year. Remember, 15th place in England could probably finish as champion in Serbia. A much higher level of competition and a different mentality will force him to play week in, week out at a consistent level. Yes but he's been playing against Metalac Gornji Milanovac and Pacos de Ferreira his whole life. So he will soon understand that, but for now it could potentially lead to some less than average performances. Other times he will play better than Sterling did last season. It's really up to him to want that fifth career title (won every season in his career) in five years. We will see. Also, don't get me wrong. His decision making is quite good for a player his age, it's the style of play that he has that removes time to think for him. It's what Messi does when he dribbles past 4 players, he stops thinking and just moves, it comes naturally. Now, Messi is Messi, and Markovic is closer to Sterling than to Messi, but it's the same playing style. Have you seen Leo just kick into automatic mode where he does something amazing like a machine? Well Lazar has to play at an even faster tempo than that. It can be incredible to watch but frustrating when it doesn't go his way.
Put it this way. A Serbian's dream is to one day play for Partizan or Red Star. Not Real, or Barcelona, or Liverpool or United. The ultimate local dream is to score in a cauldron of flares, tempers, and become a hero to half of the country or a villain to the other half. Once they get there though, in today's age, they are hit with the underwhelming reality of our football. If you're any good you're sold after a season or two to the first team that offers you money - from Germany to Georgia. If you're awful you're eventually kept until you get fed up with not receiving your pay and leave. At this point these talented youngsters realise they have to leave the country, go abroad, and pick a new career goal. Some top European team that will offer them glory. Unfortunately for them they often have to join a smaller team first - because who is going to risk big bucks on unproven Serbian players? For every Jovetic there is a Jovanovic. Markovic went to Benfica probably not because of his own will but because he was pretty much owned by Falji Ramadani. To him, Benfica wasn't the best destination he could have gotten. Portugal isn't the most exciting footballing country and their league has seen better days. Benfica vs. Vitoria Guimaraes or Arouca hardly inspires television viewers to recognize his talent. All that aside he still went along and had a great time with the fellow Serbs there and I'm sure he appreciated how much the fans there love football. It's just hard to get motivated to play for a team that is no better than your previous one in the CL (ok so they actually play in the group stages but have no chance of progressing). Coming to Liverpool is finally the top destination he will find, a club at the top challenging for the top. No more cup fights vs. Belenenses, instead playing Premier League clubs every year. Remember, 15th place in England could probably finish as champion in Serbia. A much higher level of competition and a different mentality will force him to play week in, week out at a consistent level. Yes but he's been playing against Metalac Gornji Milanovac and Pacos de Ferreira his whole life. So he will soon understand that, but for now it could potentially lead to some less than average performances. Other times he will play better than Sterling did last season. It's really up to him to want that fifth career title (won every season in his career) in five years. We will see. 3 points is 3 points but when you are 15 ahead of second place it's complacency that is an issue. He's not arrogant about it but he can go missing. If Rodgers motivates him like he has been doing to the rest, I don't expect much of a problem. Also, don't get me wrong. His decision making is quite good for a player his age, it's the style of play that he has that removes all time to think. It's what Messi does when he dribbles past 4 players, he stops thinking and just moves, it comes naturally. Now, Messi is Messi, and Markovic is closer to Sterling than to Messi, but it's the same playing style. Have you seen Leo just kick into automatic mode where he does something amazing like a machine? Well Lazar has to play at an even faster tempo than that. It can be incredible to watch but frustrating when it doesn't go his way. There is naturally a higher risk that it doesn't go his way when he plays on the run, but I think with time and experience this will go away.
The issue with markovic is he is still slow in his decision making. I remember the first time watching Modric struggle for spurs where he kept getting caught out. It just takes time but I believe he will improve with time. Plus he is only 20 yrs old.
Good luck with that, and I hope you're right. Truth is, if someone offered us £10m for him now I'd bite their ****ing hand off. Makes Stewart Downing look a steal at £20m. He's not fast (he isn't), his control isn't even Championship standard and he doesn't make or anticipate any space or support. Add to that he doesn't get stuck in like Sterling, Lalana, and Studge, and hendo - well it's hard to see where this confidence that he'll get better is coming from. But bookmark me and I'd LOVE to be proved wrong.
I wonder if Markovic being here will ease the pressure / attention on the likes of Allen and Lucas...
Markovic is very young and was identified because of his potential £20m is the going rate for that these days £20m on old Downing with experience in the league was supposed to be a sure thing
Seriously, if Brendan called me up and asked me to play a game, I'd play identical to how Markovic has played in his LFC career so far. His confidence in his interviews is clearly not transcending in to his onfield performances. Rabbit in the headlights spring to mind..
