Liverpool winger Lazar Markovic has been suspended for their next four European matches following his Champions League sending-off against Basel in December.

Liverpool opted not to appeal UEFA’s decision and Markovic will miss both legs of the last-32 Europa League clash against Besiktas, the first of which is at Anfield on Thursday, as well as the home and away last-16 matches should the Reds progress.

Manager Brendan Rodgers was unhappy with the red card, saying after the match: “I thought the sending off was a really disappointing decision by the referee.
“Lazar Markovic gets sent off for that – his fingernail barely touches the nose of the defender and the defender is the guy who should be looked at for his reaction.”

Markovic responded to the ban on Twitter with the simple message “4?” accompanied by a picture of himself looking unhappy.