Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers: 'Lazar Markovic four-game UEFA ban very harsh'

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has described Lazar Markovic's four-game UEFA ban as "very harsh", but has accepted the punishment.

The 20-year-old will serve the suspension immediately, meaning that he will miss Thursday's last-32 clash against Besiktas in the Europa League.

The punishment comes in response to the red card that he was issued during Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Basel at Anfield in the Champions League in December.

"We are obviously disappointed with the length of the ban," Rodgers said in today's press conference.

"We felt it was very harsh but we accept it and unfortunately he won't be able to contribute. Hopefully he will play many more European games for the club."

Meanwhile, as expected, captain Steven Gerrard has been ruled out of the match as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury.