Klopp explains why Liverpool signed Grujic – Player explains why he signed for Liverpool

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Liverpool have confirmed the signing of Marko Grujic today, the first player to arrive since Jurgen Klopp took the helm.

And our manager has finally discussed the Serbian wonderkid, having previously kept tight-lipped about the much publicised transfer deal.

Klopp’s praised Grujic’s talent, confirming that he intervened and spoke to the player directly after our scouts pointed the teenager in our direction.

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Done deal: Liverpool sign Marko Grujic for £5.1m

“We’re very pleased because Marko is a big talent and we’ve seen him a lot of times,” Klopp told the official website. 

“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.”

Unfortunately, Grujic will head back to Red Star Belgrade and finish the Serbian season before joining us properly in the summer. There had been reports in his homeland that the midfielder would actually stay at Liverpool, but they’ve proven false – despite Klopp’s injury ravaged squad.

Grujic is naturally delighted to have finalised the transfer, claiming the Premier League will bring out the best in him.

“I’m very excited and so proud to be here and a member of Liverpool Football Club,” he said. “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.”

The confirmed signing is the first of Klopp’s tenure in charge, but without any current fit centre-backs, it might not be our only buy of the January window.

Rumours in the Guardian Tiago Ilori will have his Aston Villa loan spell terminated early and will head back to Melwood, where he could make his first appearance for Liverpool two and a half years after signing.

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