Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp sprang a surprise by claiming Lazar Markovic could still have a future at the club.

The Serbian international joined Hull City on loan in the winter window for the rest of the season after Sporting Lisbon terminated his season-long loan. He wasn’t even considered as a stopgap when Sadio Mane was involved in the Africa Cup of Nations and such comments from the German isn’t on par with his decision.

The 49-year-old was quoted by the Liverpool Echo as saying:

“He still has a contract. Why should I say now: ‘no chance for Lazar Markovic’.

“If he plays very well at Hull….if he plays very good against us then there’s no future for him at Liverpool!

“But if he’s really good in all the other games then why not? He’s still a young boy.

“He struggled with a few injuries. If he can stay fit and help out at Hull then it’s easier for us to look with him there compared to Portugal.”

The 22-year-old was an academy product of Partizan Belgrade, a club that produced attacking talents like Aleksandar Mitrovic, Stevan Jovetic and Zoran Tosic. He managed to draw attentions from a number of European giants before securing a move to Benfica. Markovic didn’t take long to prove his worth at the Portuguese club where he racked up 5 goals out of 26 appearances. Subsequently, he convinced former manager Brendan Rodgers to splash £20 million to bring him over to Anfield.

However, he failed to develop a positive name among the home supporters and quickly fell down the pecking order. His burst of pace made him a formidable force at both ends of the pitch but his decision making and final ball were poor – scoring just twice out of 19 appearances. He was then shipped out on loan to Fenerbahce last season but stumbled to make a grade.

As Markovic isn’t getting any younger, he no longer fits the “potential” frame.

The former Borussia Dortmund boss was reminded that under Premier League rules, the winger won’t be facing his side on Saturday. Klopp added:

“Is it always like this? In Germany if you are on loan then you can play.

“Well, if he can’t play against us then he has a future! Ha ha.”

For now, Markovic should consider Mane as a template to raise his stock yet again, as the Senegal international possesses a healthy blend of pace, trickery and finishing prowess.  If he hits the ground running and help Hull City to pull clear off the relegation zone, he might surge into Klopp’s strategy next season.

Wingers are one of the major need for Liverpool in the summer transfer window. Despite Klopp keeping his cards close to his chest, many outlets have reported that Borussia Dortmund’s Christian Pulisic and Bayer Leverkusen’s Julian Brandt are at the peak of his wish list. Both youngsters are certainly far better upgrades than Markovic but with a long line of potential suitors waiting to pounce, they won’t come cheap. Especially, the former who signed a contract extension with Dortmund till the year 2020.

After securing a hard-earned 1-1 stalemate against Chelsea in midweek, the Reds will look to seize maximum points when they travel to the KCOM Stadium. The Tigers, though, will head into the match full of confidence as they held Manchester United to a goalless draw in the previous outing.