Marko Grujic’s transfer to Liverpool almost fell through because of bizarre reason

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Marko Grujic almost pulled the plug on his Liverpool medical, which would have made it difficult for us to complete the £5.1m signing.

The 19-year-old has severe claustrophobia and initially refused to undertake the MRI scan – a standard part of a football medical.

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“I am very claustrophobic, so it was very scary for me to lie for one hour in the dark in the MRI scanner,” Grujic told the Echo.

“When I heard that the MRI scan was compulsory, I was very close to saying that I didn’t want to do it! I was really afraid. I couldn’t stay inside it for one minute!

“I called the doctor and raised a bit of panic so they were persuading me for around 20 minutes before I finally accepted to go inside it again. Finally, I bit the bullet and I got on with it. They made some special conditions for me.

“After that, I went to Melwood, signed the deals and they took photos of me.”

Thankfully Grujic did eventually complete his medical, and was confirmed as a Liverpool player last week. The Serbia Under-21 international has been sent back to parent club Red Star Belgrade until the end of the season though and will only meet up and train with Liverpool in the summer.

Grujic is a box-to-box midfielder who prides himself on his strength and technique. He scores goals too, bagging five in the Serbian league so far, helping Red Star to an uncatchable position at the top of the table.

Talent wise, Grujic is one of the most exciting young midfielders in Europe, and has become Klopp’s first Liverpool signing as a result.

 

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