Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers disappointed with 'very harsh' Lazar Markovic ban

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers disappointed with 'very harsh' Lazar Markovic banSerbian midfielder was given an extra game on top of normal three-match suspension for violent conduct because of red card playing for Benfica last MayBanned: Lazar Markovic has been treated harshly says Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers .

Liverpoolmanager Brendan Rodgers believes Lazar Markovic has been harshly dealt with inbeing banned for four European games.Markovic was suspended following hiscontentious red card received against Baslein theChampions League.Because Markovic was sent off for Benfica last season, UEFAextended his ban. “We are obviously disappointed with the length of the ban,” said Rodgers.“We felt it was very harsh but we accept it and unfortunately he won’t be able to contribute.

Hopefully he will play many more European games for the club.”Liverpool will face their nemesis of last season’s title run-in Demba Ba in Thursday’sEuropa Leaguetie - the formerChelseastriker now leading the line for Besiktas.

Rodgers played down any significance of Ba’s return.“It won’t stimulate any bad memories for me. He scored a goal. We will pay him respect but nothing more than that.” said Rodgers.“He has been a very good player and had a fruitful period in England - a wonderful player who scores goals and he has done well at Besiktas.”Rodgers also dismissed concerns of fixture congestion because of the additional European commitments.“I’m not really thinking about that,” he said.“I said at the beginning of the season one of the objectives was to win a trophy so you will see from the efforts we have put into the cup competition. This is a prestigious trophy and one we want to do well in.

It’s a tough game as you saw in their recent games against Tottenham and Arsenal. We are obviously very confident in terms of our performance.“Over a number of games the players have been fantastic.”