Federico Chiesa could turn out to be the next Lazar Markovic for Liverpool

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Reports this week in the Daily Express and Corriere dello Sport have linked 20-year-old Fiorentina attacker Federico Chiesa with a move to Liverpool, with the Italian in the midst of a superb season in Serie A.

However, the signing of such a young winger in a position where Liverpool already have an abundance of choices would be misguided, as Chiesa would see little first-team action.

The young winger has scored six goals for Fiorentina in his second full season with the Viola. He has also caught the eye of the Italian national team, making his international debut against Argentina in March.

Despite his impressive form, Chiesa would face a massive struggle for appearances in this current star-studded Liverpool attack.

With the Reds boasting the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Adam Lallana, and Dominic Solanke in attacking positions, it is unclear where Chiesa would fit in.

The cautionary tale of Lazar Markovic’s Liverpool career should dissuade the Merseyside club from purchasing the Fiorentina youngster.

Markovic was acquired in similar circumstances back in July 2014, when Liverpool bought the promising winger for 20 million pounds when he was the same age as Chiesa.

Yet the Serbian scored just two league goals in 19 appearances in his debut year and was swiftly loaned out to Fenerbahce the following season.

Three more loan spells for Markovic have followed, at Sporting Lisbon, Hull City, and Anderlecht, where the attacker has failed to make a lasting impression due to injury and lack of form.

If Federico Chiesa makes the switch to Anfield this summer, he could face an unwanted career trajectory similar to Markovic.

Liverpool simply do not need the young Italian, and to sign him from his boyhood club would derail his precious development at a crucial juncture in his career.