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Lazar Markovic left out of Liverpool squad after Fiorentina talks

Lazar Markovic has been left out of Liverpool's squad for friendlies in Germany after holding talks with Fiorentina.

Markovic is surplus to requirements at Anfield and has spent the last two seasons on loan at Fenerbahce and Sporting Lisbon.

The Serbia international was recalled from his stint in Portugal to join Hull for the second half of last season.

He played 45 minutes of Liverpool's first friendly of the summer at Tranmere but has not featured since and was left behind for the Premier League Asia Trophy in Hong Kong.

Press Association Sport reported that the 23-year-old has met Fiorentina officials to discuss a move.

Liverpool are holding out for £16 million for Markovic, having paid Benfica £20m for him in 2014.

Watford are interested but are not prepared to pay that asking price.

Winger Sheyi Ojo has also not travelled to Germany for the games against Hertha Berlin, Bayern Munich and either Atletico Madrid or Napoli as he weighs up his options, with several clubs interested in taking him on loan.

A 30-man squad including the fit-again Sadio Mane and Danny Ings flew out from Liverpool on Wednesday morning.

James Milner was also among the party, having returning from Hong Kong with a minor thigh problem, while new signing Andrew Robertson is set for his first outing since joining from Hull for £8m last week.

Midfielder Emre Can, who only returned to Melwood at the weekend after an extended break due to his involvement in Germany's Confederations Cup win, was also on the plane.