Lazar Markovic 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.

The Serbia forward is surplus to requirements at Anfield and has spent the last two seasons out on loan, first at Fenerbahce and then Sporting Lisbon.

Markovic was recalled from his stint in Portugal to join Hull in January where he enjoyed some success.

He played 45 minutes in 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.

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Press Association Sport understands the 23-year-old has met Fiorentina to discuss a move but Liverpool are holding out for £16million, having paid Benfica £20m for his services back in 2014.

Watford are also interested in Markovic but are not prepared to pay the Reds' asking price, which makes any deal unlikely.

Winger Sheyi Ojo has also not travelled to Germany for friendlies against Hertha Berlin, Bayern Munich and either Atletico Madrid or Napoli as he weighs up his options with a number of clubs - including Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Aston Villa - interested in taking him on loan.

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A 30-man squad flew out from Liverpool this morning and included the fit-again Sadio Mane and Danny Ings, both of whom had last season cut short by knee injuries.

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 to his homeland.

Out-of-favour defender Mamadou Sakho is another not to have travelled as he continues to build up his fitness from a knee injury sustained while on loan at Crystal Palace in the second half of last season.

It is understood the Eagles are still interested in signing him on a permanent basis - and the France international is keen to rejoin the London club - but the stumbling block is the fee

Liverpool's valuation of £30million is too much for Palace, despite his influence earning a nomination for player of the year even though he played just eight matches for them before injury, but the Reds will not lower their asking price for the 27-year-old France international.