Top Marks for Rodgers seeking Benfica’s Serbian sensation

Liverpool’s interest in Adam Lallana has reportedly cooled, after it emerged they are now targeting 20-year-old Benfica left winger Lazar Markovic, as they ramp up another attempt for the title, despite being 5/1.

Brendan Rodgers is keen to strengthen his attack, and has been in relentless pursuit of Lallana, who is on World Cup duty with England. The line from the inner circle is that the Reds boss wants a definitive answer from the Saints as to whether they’re willing to let the player go, before making their move for Markovic.

Anfield’s money men are only prepared to offer £20m to land Lallana, while the south coast club want at least £25m, due to the fact they will have to part with a considerable sum that is payable to his former outfit Bournemouth, as part of a sell-on clause.

It puts Rodgers in an awkward position. If negotiations are drawn out, another club could come in for Serbian winger Markovic, the end result being he misses out on both targets.

News from Portugal indicate that Benfica are willing to do a deal for their star turn for £25m, after originally quoting £30m.

The Kop have already landed Rickie Lambert from St Mary’s, for a fee that is initially in the region of £4m, in what looks to be the start of an exciting recruitment campaign. Rodgers is readying his charges to once again challenge for the Premier League title next season, and have a crack at his first European quest in the Champions League.

Under their savvy and attack-minded Northern Irish strategist, the Reds have taken to every competition comfortably and, at 20/1, they are well priced to win Europe’s elite club competition for sixth time.

Key for Rodgers is bringing in the right level of quality and strength in depth, and he has turned the Reds into one of the most desirable teams in the land. Either Lallana or Markovic could do a job, however it is only the latter that has the experience in Europe.