Friday, 20th June, 2014
Liverpool are preparing to switch their focus to Benfica attacking midfielder Lazar Markovic in the event they cannot snap up Adam Lallana from Southampton.
The Saints have so far resisted cashing in on Lallana, who has been the subject of a £25m bid from the Premier League runners-up, and earlier this week the club's executive director suggested the England international should stay put.
Liverpool are not sitting idly by and hoping the tide turns on their Lallana admiration however and, according to Portuguese daily A Bola, Markovic is on their list.
The Serbian, who enjoyed a fine campaign with Jorge Jesus' Benfica side last season, has attracted Liverpool's attention and fits the bill as a Lallana alternative.
Benfica are unlikely to be keen to lose Markovic after just a single season though, while Chelsea are also thought to have a favourable agreement with regard to the player.
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Markovic made 26 appearances for Benfica in the Primeira Liga last term as the club took home the title.
He also featured eight times in Benfica's run to the final of the Europa League.
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