Liverpool have confirmed the signing of Serbian midfielder Marko Grujic from Red Star Belgrade.
The 19-year-old underwent a medical at Melwood on Monday and has now signed a contract to become Jurgen Klopp’s first capture, although he will return on loan to Red Star for the remainder of the season.
Klopp is “very pleased” to have got his hands on such a “skilled player”, but has indicated that Grujic was identified by Liverpool’s infamous transfer committee before his arrival at Anfield in October.
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The Reds boss told Liverpoolfc.com: “We’re very pleased because Marko is a big talent and we’ve seen him a lot of times.” Sky Sports reports that Grujic will cost the Merseyside club £5.1m.
Klopp added to LFC.com: “When I came here, our scouts showed me some footage of a very skilled player from Red Star Belgrade. We watched it, we spoke to him, we met each other – he’s a good boy, a young boy but plays an important role at the moment at Red Star, who are the best team in Serbia.
“To describe him, I would say he’s a tall boy, but quick and good at technical things. He can play passes and can dribble. But he is young, so he has to develop. He will do this, so everything is okay.”
Grujic currently represents Serbia at U21 level and was a member of their World Cup-winning U20 squad in 2015. He has scored five goals in 21 league appearances for Red Star since his 2013 debut.
He is excited about the pressure of playing at Anfield and against the best teams that the Premier League has to offer, telling Liverpoolfc.com: “I’m very excited and so proud to be here and a member of Liverpool Football Club. I can’t wait to get started, play at Anfield and train at Melwood.
“I was thinking about my progress in my next period and decided it was good for me to come here and try to be the best I can. I want to play in front of one of the loudest set of fans in Europe at Anfield.
“I also like the atmospheres at other stadiums, the crowds are very good. I like to play under pressure and that’s why I’ve come here – because it brings out the best in me.”
Liverpool’s transfer committee have arguably got more wrong than they have right in recent years. Reds supporters will have to wait until at least next season to see which category Grujic will fall under.
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