Looking at the attacking positions behind the striker with Sterling and Coutinho (who doesnt necessarily produce the best numbers) you can clearly see they both have more about them and you could watch them all day knowing they will also improve. There's a real aggression and confidence to take players on and beat them.
I know it's youtube videos (good old scout nation) but also look at the stats of Markovic in comparison with some other attackers who are similarly young and would cost a similar amount in fee. He can become a good player but I'm just not seeing what will make Markovic a really top class player in the future? I'm talking about reaching the levels of Hazard/Sanchez at the moment in the league for comparison. The ability to dominate games and decide a match with consistent good contributions throughout a single match and as they grow over multiple matches in a season, like how you can see Sterling and Coutinho did even as soon as they broke through the first team or joined.
Markovic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT6pXuQJFlkSo here what I can see in his highlights for a season is someone who had good speed and ability to run with the ball at speed with control. He is good in the game when there is counter attacks a broken play and looks to be a neat passer, finding the right options in these situations. There are a few good runs in behind which is encouraging. However what is missing is that there is nothing on his ability to dribble in tight areas, as well as what he can do against a low block/when the game is slowed down, there is nothing showing his ability with regards to shooting power. There is also very little of him beating players 1v1. He's young but his goals/assist return per game was not great in a team that is one of the dominant ones in a weaker league. So far in his time here he has shown even less of that despite some decent glimpses.
Now you compare to the following young players producing good numbers in stronger leagues:
Felipe Anderson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFxaE79gXz0Memphis Depay
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTfYhKCBLLIRoberto Firmino
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=er-GdWLW5F4Now what I see there is more potential, more ability. Firstly they all seem physically stronger and just as fast so that could help their adaptation. Secondly there seems to be a real confidence in their shooting ability and power and that equals more goals, before mention positioning (looks at Lallana). They seem to have everything Markovic shows but more ability and confidence to run at tightly packed defences, twist and turn or go past their man from a standing start, not just when played into space. Markovic sort of just runs in straight lines and small direction changes like zig zagging through. Lallana should become a squad player unless he starts having more consistent impact on games and understands how to make through balls and run in behind to get himself on the end of chances. I'd continue Ibe in the wing back role and make him one of the back ups to the attacking roles.
Sterling and Coutinho don't always strike you as confident, natural and sharp shooters (even with Coutinho's recent wonder goals) so I definitely think there is room for one of these guys to improve the squad if we could make a play.
Edit one more point: All these players including Sterling/Coutinho/Lallana seem to have better ability to turn on the ball under pressure when it is played into them which allows them more opportunity to get at the defence.
