Lazar Markovic hits back at Anderlecht president over failed Liverpool exit as he claims ‘money was not the issue’

The out-of-favour midfielder, who has been left out of Jürgen Klopp's Premier league squad this season, called off a move to Belgian side Anderlecht during the transfer window

Carl Markham
Tuesday 04 September 2018 03:56 EDT
Comments
Summer transfer window 2018: The 10 most expensive Premier League signings

Your support helps us to tell the story

This election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.

The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.

Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.

Liverpool misfit Lazar Markovic has rejected suggestions his last-minute deadline day move to Anderlecht fell through because of money.

The Serbia international, who has not played for the Reds since May 2015, travelled to Belgium after a cut-price £2.9m fee was agreed for him to return the club at which he spent the second half of last season on loan.

However, despite a three-year contract being offered, the move collapsed and led to Anderlecht's manager Hein Vanhaezebrouck claiming it was the player's fault.

"Our president and sports director did everything to convince Markovic," he told Belgian media.

"They waited until Liverpool lowered the price. They almost did a crazy effort for the player, but it wasn't enough. It's his own fault that the deal fell through."

But 24-year-old Markovic, who has also had unremarkable loan spells at Fenerbahce, Sporting Lisbon, Hull and is out of contract next summer, hit back.

Lazar Markovic rejected leaving Liverpool fot Anderlecht but said it wasn't to do with money
Lazar Markovic rejected leaving Liverpool fot Anderlecht but said it wasn't to do with money (Getty)

"Thank you for making such a great effort for trying to get me back in the club. However, money was not the issue !!!!! Good luck in the future @rscanderlecht," he wrote on Twitter.

Markovic has once again not been included in Liverpool's Premier League squad and has no chance of playing under manager Jurgen Klopp so faces another four months in the wilderness, with even playing for the under-23s unlikely, until the window reopens in January.

PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in