Liverpool’s Lazar Markovic Banned Four European Games By UEFA

Lazar Markovic has received the heaviest of punishments for the lightest of fouls.

UEFA banned Markovic for four European games Tuesday, increasing a penalty that stems from the red card he was shown in Liverpool’s UEFA Champions League draw with Basel on Dec. 9.

Markovic already was set to serve a three-game ban for the dismissal, but UEFA increased the penalty because of a previous suspension he had earned while playing for Sevilla in 2013-14, according to Sky Sports and the BBC.

The new ban rules out Markovic not only for both legs of Liverpool’s Round of 32 meeting with Besiktas in the UEFA Europa League but also the subsequent round — should the Reds progress — or the first two games of next season’s European competitions.

Markovic was sent off just 15 minutes into his substitute appearance against Basel when he hit defender Behrang Safari’s face with a flailing arm. Safari made the most of the light contact, and the referee dismissed Markovic for so-called “violent conduct.”

Markovic seemed perplexed by UEFA’s decision to increase his punishment.

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Markovic has been an important part of Liverpool’s mid-season revival. The 20-year-old has impressed with his speed and energy on the right flank and has chipped in with three goals in 16 games since that fateful December night in Switzerland.

Markovic still is eligible to play in Liverpool’s Premier League and FA Cup games.