From Flop to Flourish? Liverpool Hope Florian Wirtz Can Avoid the Lazar Markovic Path
Over the years, Liverpool FC have developed a reputation for transforming talented attackers into global superstars. The likes of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Luis Suárez all reached new heights at Anfield, becoming prolific scorers and fan favorites under the bright lights of the Kop.
Now, all eyes are on Florian Wirtz, the German wonderkid who became Liverpool’s club-record signing in July 2025, arriving from Bayer Leverkusen in a deal worth £116 million including add-ons. Known for his vision, creativity, and maturity beyond his years, Wirtz comes to Merseyside with sky-high expectations.
For those who follow European football, Wirtz is no mystery. He’s long been touted as one of the best young playmakers in the world, and his performances in the Bundesliga have justified the hype. But Liverpool fans know all too well that even the most promising talent doesn’t always thrive at Anfield.
Markovic: A Cautionary Tale
The signing of Lazar Markovic back in 2014 serves as a stark reminder. Then just 20 years old, the Serbian winger arrived from Benfica with high hopes and a hefty price tag of £20 million—significant at the time. Despite his potential, Markovic failed to make an impact and quickly fell out of favor.
Instead of becoming the next Anfield hero, Markovic endured a difficult spell at the club. He was loaned out four times—to Fenerbahçe, Sporting CP, Hull City, and Anderlecht—before eventually leaving permanently. He scored just two goals in 34 appearances for Liverpool.
A Different Story for Wirtz?
The contrast between Wirtz and Markovic is clear. Unlike Markovic, who was relatively unknown upon arrival, Wirtz comes with a proven track record at the highest level and a clear role in Arne Slot’s new-look Liverpool. His arrival symbolizes not just ambition, but belief that Liverpool can build their next great team around him.
The pressure will be intense, but so is the excitement. If Wirtz can live up to his billing, he could join the elite list of players who became Anfield legends. But as history shows, even the brightest talents need the right environment, leadership, and a bit of luck to truly shine.
The Rise and Fall of Lazar Markovic: Liverpool’s £20m Gamble That Never Paid Off
For many European players, a move to a Champions League heavyweight is the ultimate dream. In recent decades, the Premier League has emerged as the most desirable destination for rising stars outside Europe’s traditional top five leagues.
Back in the summer of 2014, Liverpool found themselves in a position of power and wealth following Luis Suárez’s £64.98 million transfer to Barcelona. With cash in hand and ambitions high, the Reds embarked on a recruitment drive that included promising names like Alberto Moreno (Sevilla), Emre Can (Bayer Leverkusen), and Divock Origi (Lille).
But one of the more eye-catching signings was Lazar Markovic, a £20 million arrival from Benfica. At the time, the 20-year-old Serbian winger was considered one of Europe’s most exciting attacking prospects. Having just played a key role in Benfica’s Liga Portugal title win, Markovic arrived at Anfield with big expectations and a growing reputation.
The Hype: A “Rare Talent” with Sky-High Potential
European football expert Andy Brassell told BBC Sport at the time that Liverpool had made “a good investment,” even suggesting that Markovic could be worth “twice the money they paid for him in 12 to 18 months.” He wasn’t alone in his praise. Former Chelsea and Partizan Belgrade manager Avram Grant, who coached Markovic as a teenager, once said:
“Apart from [Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Lionel] Messi, Markovic is one of the best talents I’ve ever seen at 19 years of age.”
— Avram Grant, 2014 (via The Standard)
With such high praise, the stage was set for Markovic to explode in the Premier League. But the reality couldn’t have been more different.
Anfield Struggles: Misused and Misfiring
Initially handed chances by Brendan Rodgers, Markovic showed glimpses of his potential but struggled to adapt to the Premier League’s pace and physicality. A pivotal misstep in his development came when he was deployed as a makeshift wing-back, far removed from the creative, attacking role in which he thrived at Benfica.
His Anfield career quickly spiraled. The Serb was loaned out four times—to Fenerbahçe, Sporting CP, Hull City, and Anderlecht—but failed to make a lasting impression at any of those clubs.
Meanwhile, his stagnating form and reported wage demands saw a permanent £2.9m move to Anderlecht collapse, and he also turned down a switch to Greek side PAOK, according to GOAL.
Frozen Out and Forgotten
By the end of his time at Liverpool, Markovic had been completely frozen out of the first team, a symbol of unrealized potential and one of the club’s most expensive transfer misfires of the last decade.
Lazar Markovic’s Liverpool Career Stats:
| Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Red Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 19 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Champions League | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| FA Cup | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| EFL Cup | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Where Is Markovic Now?
Following a quiet exit from Liverpool, Markovic returned to Serbian football and has since played for Partizan Belgrade, among other smaller clubs. While still active, his career has never come close to reaching the heights once predicted for him.
As Liverpool now usher in a new attacking era led by record signing Florian Wirtz, fans hope the young German avoids the pitfalls that consumed Markovic’s Anfield adventure. If Wirtz fulfills his potential, he could join the likes of Salah and Suárez among Liverpool’s elite.
But if history has taught Liverpool anything, it’s that talent alone isn’t enough. Timing, trust, and tactical fit are just as important—and sometimes, the next superstar needs more than just promise.
Lazar Markovic’s Long Road Back: A Career of Missed Chances and Modest Comebacks
After his turbulent spell at Liverpool, Lazar Markovic was handed an unexpected second chance in the Premier League. In January 2019, Fulham took a gamble on the Serbian winger, reportedly following a recommendation from compatriot and club striker Aleksandar Mitrović.
The move cost Fulham nothing—Markovic arrived as a free agent, and Liverpool were content to let him go, reportedly saving £1.5 million in wages, according to The Standard.
Unfortunately, Fulham’s bet didn’t pay off. Markovic managed just one appearance, a forgettable 45-minute cameo, before disappearing from the first-team picture. His brief stay at Craven Cottage did little to reignite the spark once associated with his name.
Return to Familiar Grounds, but No Revival
Following his Premier League disappointment, Markovic returned to Partizan Belgrade in the summer of 2019 in hopes of rebuilding his career in familiar surroundings. However, while he found regular playing time, he failed to produce the consistent form that once made him one of Europe’s most talked-about teenage prospects.
Short stints followed in Turkey, where he featured for both Trabzonspor and Gaziantep FK, yet neither move provided the breakthrough he needed.
A Glimmer in the Gulf
Most recently, Markovic found a degree of success in the United Arab Emirates with FC Baniyas. In the 2024–25 season, he enjoyed a relatively productive campaign, recording 6 goals and 7 assists in 31 appearances. While the level of competition was far removed from the heights of the Premier League or Champions League, it was a reminder that Markovic could still contribute when given the opportunity.
But even that chapter has now closed.
In July 2025, Markovic became a free agent once again after parting ways with Baniyas. At 30 years old, his future in professional football remains uncertain. Once heralded as the next big thing, Markovic’s career is now more a tale of what could have been—a cautionary story of how potential, when mismanaged, can slip through the cracks.
