Liverpool FC: Won't Look Back

MARKOVIC MOVE EDGES CLOSER

Benfica winger Lazar Markovic could soon sign for Liverpool after both clubs are believed to have agreed terms.

Liverpool had scouted the Serbian international throughout last season under Brendan Rodgers, and new manager Michael Laudrup is thought to be a fan of signing the 19-year-old.

Reports across the country suggest that Markovic will travel to England sometime next week for personal talks, after Benfica accepted and offer in the region of £20 million.

Liverpool are also interested in Bayern Munich’s Xherdan Shaqiri, who could join the Reds after another season of performing in the shadow of Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben.

However, it remains unknown whether Liverpool will pursue their interest in the Swiss international should they conclude Markovic’s signing.

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SKRTEL IN SWAP DEAL

Liverpool has completed the signing of Belgian starlet Divock Origi after offering Martin Skrtel to Lille, plus £2 million.

Origi caught the eye of many during the World Cup in Brazil with Belgium and has signed a five-year-deal with the Reds.

Skrtel was widely used under Brendan Rodgers last season, but new manager Michael Laudrup is thought to be seeking an alternative in defence.

Reports initially suggested that Laudrup would have to choose from Skrtel and Agger, with the Reds likely to take up their interest in Steven Caulker from Cardiff City.

Skrtel joins Lille on a three-year contract after representing the red half of Merseyside for six seasons, playing 151 times in the Barclays Premier League.

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LIVERPOOL BAG DUO

Liverpool has completed the transfer of Benfica’s Lazar Markovic and Sporting Lisbon defender Marcos Rojo.

Markovic had been watched by Liverpool scouts last season and now signs for Liverpool at the cost of £23 million.

The Serbian 19-year-old, known for his bursting pace and dribbling ability, will sign a five-year contract on £50,000.

Joining Markovic will be his ex-club rival Rojo, after Sporting accepted a fee of £13 million for the versatile defender.

Also signing a five-year-deal, Rojo’s natural position is as a central defender but he can also play as a left back, often the position in which Alejandro Sabella deploys him for Argentina.

Liverpool’s spending spree could continue, with Bayern Munich’s Xherdan Shaqiri and Cardiff City defender Steven Caulker still believed to be on Michael Laudrup’s shopping list.

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LUCAS DEPARTS

Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva has joined Paris Saint-Germain for a fee of £18.5 million, following the earlier arrival of Emre Can this season.

Lucas, who follows his compatriot and ex-Chelsea defender David Luiz to Paris, signs a four-year deal with the Ligue 1 holders on £90,000 a week.

The Brazilian had been linked with a move away from Anfield in the past few weeks and so completes his speculated move.

Lucas spent a total of five seasons with Liverpool, in which he represented the Reds 149 times in the Barclays Premier League.

Scoring just one goal, Lucas was highly criticised in the earlier stages of his career under Rafa Benitez but soon saw his art appreciated by the Liverpool faithful.

REDS LET PAIR GO

Liverpool have announced the departures of Sebastian Coates to Sunderland and German forward Samed Yesil to PAOK.

Coates joins the Black Cats in a fee worth £3 million over three years after agreeing terms with compatriot and Sunderland boss Gus Poyet.

The Uruguayan defender had little success with Liverpool since joining from Nacional in 2011, playing just 19 league games and falling behind fourth choice Kolo Toure in the pecking order.

Yesil heads to Greece to represent PAOK for a minimal fee of approximately £450,000 after an injury plagued spell with Liverpool.

Having shown so much promise in the Under-17 FIFA World Cup in 2011, Yesil’s fitness troubles sees him become the fourth Liverpool player to leave this season.

LOANS GALORE

Liverpool has announced the completion of none other than seven loan moves for this season, with Belgian forward Divock Origi headlining the list.

The recent recruit from Lille will join Turkish club Trabzonspor for the rest of the season where he is set for a spell in their first team.

Fresh from a previous loan move at Almeria, Suso will spend this season at Serie A outfit Cagliari due the abundance of options in Liverpool’s final third.

Andre Wisdom has agreed to join Wigan Athletic for the remainder of this season, despite his recent upset at Liverpool’s rejection of a Celtic bid.

Liverpool have agreed to sell Wisdom to the Latics for a future fee of £2 million, with Wigan already paying the Reds £22,000 per month.

Ex-Stoke City and sc Heerenveen man Oussama Assaidi returns to the Dutch Eredivisie to represent Ajax, where he too may stay at the end of the season for £4.5 million.

Reserve and youth players Jack Robinson, Krisztian Adorjan and Ryan McLaughlin will also join Sami Hyypia’s Brighton & Hove Albion, Millwall and Sheffield United in orderly fashion.