Liverpool Set to Trump Chelsea in Race for Benfica Star Lazar Markovic - Report

Liverpool are reportedly set to beat Chelsea in signing Benfica wonder kid Lazar Markovic at the end of the season, according to the Mirror.

The Merseyside club and Jose Mourinho's side are interested in signing the 20-year-old in the summer. It was earlier reported that Chelsea had agreed on a deal for Markovic. However, the Reds are now set to pip the Blues in the race to sign the Serbian star.

The report claims Liverpool officials have already held talks with the winger's agent in bringing him to Anfield. The Portuguese outfit are looking for a fee of £30m to allow the talented youngster to leave the club.

Brendan Rodgers has set his sights on strengthening his squad for the next season, as the Reds prepare for the return of Champions League night at Anfield.

They sit at the top of the table with 74 points from 33 games and are leading second place Chelsea by two points. Liverpool are favourites to finish the season in the top four and are in pole position to win the league this season.

Markovic joined Benfica last summer from Partizan Belgrade and has impressed with his performance for Jorge Jesus' side. The youngster has long been a transfer target for the Merseyside club as the former Swansea boss is keen on landing him in the summer.

Should Liverpool fail to land Markovic in the summer, the Mirror claims the Northern Irishman will make an approach for Bayer Leverkusen forward Son Heung-min.

Meanwhile, Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho has expressed his delight after returning to full fitness. The France international was on the sidelines with a hamstring problem, which he picked up late last year and has returned to action earlier this month.

"I was very happy at West Ham as I'd worked very hard to get back to full fitness so that's been achieved now. The most important thing here is the group so you need to be ready to give your absolute best when you are called upon," Sakho explained.

"It's normal when you are a competitor like me - you always want to be involved and be out there on the pitch trying to help out your team."