Klopp lauds Grujic but explains what he needs to improve to become ‘outstanding’

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Liverpool’s young Serbian midfielder Marko Grujic was given his first start for the club today since his switch from Red Star Belgrade.

The 20-year-old played the full 90 minutes against Derby County in our EFL Cup win, and did very well in the main.

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He’s physically strong, technically astute and demands the football. In some ways he reminds us of Emre Can, although he looks more obviously creative than his German team-mate.

Klopp was pleased with Grujic, who did show signs of inexperience by giving the ball away close to our penalty area by dribbling instead of passing. Once he shores up the defensive side of his game though, Klopp reckons we’ll have a serious player on our hands.

“Marko had a wonderful debut – really good. He is a wonderfully skilled player. If the defensive skills had the same quality as the offensive skills then he is an outstanding player, but we are working on it and he is working on it,” Klopp said after the game, reported in the Echo.

The youngster is likely to make way at the weekend for Gini Wijnaldum and Adam Lallana who’ve started every Premier League match so far, but will have enjoyed Tuesday evening and will be in contention for more minutes soon.

Klopp’s squad is big, united and more importantly – all seem to be pushing in the same direction. It’s truly exciting.

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