Liverpool winger Lazar Markovic is set to join Sporting Lisbon on a season-long loan after a sudden change of heart, a source close to the Premier League club has told ESPN FC.
The Serbian will spend the 2016-17 season in Portugal the under the tutelage of Jorge Jesus, the manager Markovic played under at Benfica prior to his move to Liverpool.
The source revealed the player performed a "big U-turn," having initially told Liverpool officials he did not want a return to Portugal.
Markovic has faced an uncertain future at Anfield after struggling to adapt to English football following his move from Benfica in the summer of 2014.
He spent last season on loan at Turkish side Fenerbache, but that was hampered by a hamstring injury.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp praised the 22-year-old's attitude and work ethic earlier this month, but did admit that his future was up in the air.
"He's in a good way and he's a nice lad, good boy, funny, works hard," Klopp said. "At the end we have to see how we will build our squad. We have time between now and Aug. 31 where maybe something will happen."
Markovic featured many times throughout Liverpool's preseason, but has failed to make an appearance in their first four games of the campaign.