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When Liverpool FC signed nine players this summer, excitement was scattergunned across the new arrivals.

Alberto Moreno was a marauding left back who could nab 10 goals. Emre Can was in the Germany Under-21 set-up, wanted by Bayern Munich, and built like a wardrobe. Mario Balotelli was, well, Mario Balotelli.

Lazar Markovic perhaps brought more mystique than any of the others. Not long turned 20, the Serbian international had become one of the most sought-after youngsters in Europe after impressing at Partizan Belgrade and Benfica.

Indeed, the winger seemed destined for the Premier League – although the expected move to Chelsea never materialised.

So far, Markovic has not lived up to the expectations. He is yet to put in a strong performance since making his Reds debut, and has been an unused substitute in three of his past five games.

He once more failed to impress in the Capital One Cup win over Swansea.

Colin Pascoe has backed him to come good, and there’s plenty of evidence he can. Here’s what’s gone wrong for Markovic so far – and why it can still go very right.

Period of adaptation

Despite joining Partizan aged 12, Markovic didn’t make his professional debut until the final day of the 2010/11 season. He then had two full seasons in Serbia before a year, and 49 appearances, in the Portuguese league.

It’s a curious education and a curious route to English football. Having been too good for Serbian football and fast-tracked through the Benfica first team, he arrived at Anfield with only a two-legged affair with Tottenham as his experience of English football.

Given his age and with just one full season in a competitive league, it should be no surprise he is still figuring out what’s required to flourish in the Premier League. At times, he looks uncertain of whether to dribble past opponents or play a safer ball inside.

Why he can come good: Just as he adapted to life at Benfica, he can adapt to life at Anfield. Plenty of top players took time to figure out how to play in a new team, in a new league, in a new country – and not at such an early point of their careers.

Furthermore, he comes from the same academy as Stevan Jovetic, Matija Nastasic and Adam Ljajic. The Portuguese league has also been home to some of the world’s most exciting talents over the past decade, including Radamel Falcao, Hulk, David Luiz, Ramires, Angel Di Maria and Cristiano Ronaldo.

A struggle with shape

To watch Markovic is to watch a player still unsure of his role. It doesn’t help that his team-mates or coaching staff are not fully aware, either.

This was a problem, at times, at Benfica. He was predominately used as a right winger, but can also serve as a number 10, as well as a left winger or even up front.

Flexibility is something Brendan Rodgers used to good effect last season, but it seems to be hampering Markovic’s early days on Merseyside. Not only is it a positional issue, but also an issue of instruction. Markovic is yet to exhibit the one thing that is clearly what gave him his reputation. Is it dribbling, creating, pace? Those questions remain.

It doesn’t help, either, that the Reds continue to tinker with their shape – and continue to find form.

Thought to be coming in to play wide in a 4-3-3, the possibility of Rodgers adopting the diamond leaves him competing with Raheem Sterling, Coutinho and another big-money signing, Adam Lallana, for a spot at the tip of the diamond. The counter attacking style which would have seen him flourish is currently faulty.

Why he can come good: He is clearly a player who is phenomenal in full flight, who can dribble past defenders with a flick of the boot. At Benfica last season, he completed an average of 1.5 dribbles per game, and would routinely leave the opposition standing still and embarrassed.

To adapt in a side that is struggling to find form makes it even tougher – but Rodgers can be backed to put it right. Once Daniel Sturridge returns, Markovic could thrive as a counter attacking forward, either out wide or even supporting alongside the striker. Once he knows his role, then is the time to judge.

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Expectation and transfer fee

Liverpool are not a club who routinely drop £20m on somebody fresh out of their teenage years. In fact, Markovic is the youngest £20m man in the club’s history.

His signature is not simply based on bringing a quick hit, but a long-term investment. It is not only what he can do next month, but over the next five years.

Of course, when the Reds are having trouble with consistency, the long-term is quickly disregarded. Results are expected now.

At £20m, questions begin to surface over why the Reds opted for a player who needs time to adapt when others could have given an immediate boost to the first team.

The grumbles and moans when he doesn’t score or create tells the story. More is expected of him, no matter how unfair.

Why he can come good: Liverpool can get better and figure out what their best team is, especially when Sturridge returns. That, in turn, will take the pressure off the Serbian.

The games he has been used in have been tough. He came on for the final half-hour when Liverpool were already 3-0 down to Manchester City; he featured from the start in an unfamiliar attacking line up in the 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa; he played an hour in the Merseyside derby.

He was also a starter in Basel, and was then thrown on with the game already lost at home to Real Madrid.

If the team begin improving and the right balance is struck, less will be expected of him – particularly when coming off the bench.

Low confidence

Rarely has a player seemed so reticent to shoot. Even from as little as 18 yards out and with just defender between the ball and the goalkeeper, he opts to shift it past that defender – often unsuccessfully.

With just five goals in the league last season, he was not exactly prolific for Benfica and often liked to beat one final obstacle before taking a shot.

But this is not about application. This is about confidence. His movements are always with his head down; he looks to play in others instead of take responsibility himself. This is very much a by-product of the previous three problems.

Why he can come good:

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He clearly has confidence in there somewhere.

Gallery: Lazar Markovic