Brendan: That's the Markovic we know
Brendan Rodgers believes Lazar Markovic is now beginning to show the kind of technical quality that earned the Serbian wide-man a transfer to Liverpool in the summer.
The 20-year-old scored his first goal for the Reds in the 3-1 victory over Bournemouth on Wednesday night, contributing to a result that set up a Capital One Cup semi-final with Chelsea.
His finish was one of perfect execution. Philippe Coutinho's endeavour worked room for a near-post shot that was parried out to the edge of the area, where Markovic immediately sent a precise side-footer into the bottom right corner.
The individual performance featured so much more, though, including a pinpoint cross in the build-up to Raheem Sterling's opener and defensive diligence that balanced out his natural attacking instincts.
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"He was brilliant," Rodgers reflected to Liverpoolfc.com after the match at the Goldsands Stadium. "It has taken him a bit of time to get going and we have talked to him about being more aggressive in his game.
"In the 15 minutes before he got sent off against Basel, it was disappointing that he was sent off, because he started really well. That's the Markovic that we know.
"Playing in that role [against Bournemouth] he was outstanding; he was defensively good and pressed the ball at almost all of the right times, so tactically he was very good.
"And with the ball his speed and movement was excellent. He has got good quality and is a good footballer. It is pleasing. At 20 years of age, he looks like he is improving all the time."