Liverpool have conducted their transfer business early this summer, with the acquisition of Roberto Firmino catching the bulk of headlines recently.

The capture of the talented Brazilian appears to have cast further doubts over the future of Raheem Sterling, who is widely believed to be angling for a move away from Anfield this summer. Brendan Rodgers has previously stated that the Reds would not budge on the England international, who will be staying on Merseyside even if he does not agree to signing a new contract - however, such a stance may just be a public one. Whether Sterling is still a Liverpool player by the time the summer transfer window closes remains to be seen, but Firmino’s addition could well mark the end of another attacking midfielder’s tenure with the club.

Lazar Markovic was added by Rodgers last summer and arrived at Anfield with a burgeoning reputation after some standout displays both domestically and on the continent for Benfica.

The Serbia international clearly has ability and is technically very good, with glimpses of his potential shining through on occasion for Liverpool last season.

However, in Rodgers’ bespoke 3-4-3 system, Markovic’s role has been undetermined, with the Eastern European often shunted out into a wing-back role.

If the Northern Irish manager continues to play this formation next term, the competition for the two attacking midfield positions will be fierce.

Along with Firmino and Sterling (presuming he is still at the club), the ever-improving Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana will also be in contention for a starting XI place. It is hard to imagine a situation where either Sterling or Coutinho would be dropped, with the pair critical to the Reds attack over the last 24 months.

Lallana had a better first campaign as a Red than Markovic but can still improve and regardless of this the signs are there that Rodgers would prefer the former Southampton playmaker in the attacking position than Markovic.

With Danny Ings and Daniel Sturridge in contention to lead the line also, Rodgers has plenty of options at his disposal.

Even if the Serbian is regarded as a continued option at right wing-back, the signing of Nathaniel Clyne surely relegates Markovic further down Rodgers’ pecking order and will limit his time on the pitch considerably.

Given the fact that the 21-year-old cost Liverpool in the region of £20 million last summer, if the Reds do choose to cut their losses on the player this summer they cannot realistically expect to make the same fee back.

On the other hand, keeping faith with Markovic could well reap rewards in the long run as the European becomes more accustomed to the club, culture and his surroundings.

However, if Markovic is to become an important and influential player for Liverpool he will need to be playing week-in, week-out. The signing of Firmino, and to an extent Clyne, suggest there isn’t much likelihood of that happening in 2015/16.

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