Lazar Markovic could be set for a premature return to Liverpool this month.
The winger was farmed out on a season-long loan to Sporting Lisbon last summer but has struggled to make a firm impact on the Portuguese giants.
Markovic spent the previous campaign with Fenerbahce but has failed to impress upon returning to Lisbon, where he was reunited with ex-Benfica coach Jorge Jesus.
Reports claim that Sporting are considering allowing the 22-year-old to return to Anfield by terminating his contract six months earlier than scheduled.
Current Benfica manager Vitor Pereira worked with Markovic at Fenerbahce and has torn into the Liverpool outcast.
“Markovic has a lot of talent but needs to refocus his goals,” he told O Jogo.
“If he is earning millions in his early twenties, that does not mean he doesn’t need to work anymore.
“Markovic must realise that it is necessary to work for things to happen otherwise, when it comes to it, it will not be a promise.
“When he finishes his contract with Liverpool I want to see where he goes.”