Grujic: My path to LFC first-team and what Klopp has told me

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Will Marko Grujic become an integrated part of Liverpool’s squad next season – or will the club decide to cash in on his services?

That very much depends on how the Serbian performs in Germany this year.

For the second consecutive campaign, Grujic is played for Hertha Berlin on loan – a club where he’s considered an important starter in central midfield.

Aged 23 though, he needs to start showing a consistently elite level if he’s to earn a spot in our packed midfield.

The player has explained how he still sees his future on Merseyside and what Jurgen Klopp has told him about his time away from Anfield.

“It’s not easy to become a part of the Liverpool squad, I can see myself in the red shirt but I have to become more experienced before I can wear it again,” Grujic told the ECHO.

“I want to improve my physical performance and take my concentration to another level. I want to be ready for Liverpool so I will have a chance to get into the team.

“It is very important for me to play regularly right now and [Klopp] told me to fight for my place in the team.

“Klopp and I are texting regularly. I am also in close contact with the Liverpool loan-manager (Julian Ward), he watches every game that I’m in and we’re texting afterwards.

“Also I am very close to Dejan Lovren and Roberto Firmino, but all of the players from Liverpool are great,” he continued.

“Sometimes I miss Liverpool, of course, it’s one of the greatest teams in the world, but for my development it’s more important to play regularly right now.

“Hertha is a special club and represents the capital of Germany. It will be a good experience – when I retire one day – to say that I played for such a big club like Hertha.”

Grujic was the first permanent buy of Klopp’s tenure, although the first player through the door was Steven Caulker on loan!

Even if we do sell him in 2020, it’ll be for a large sum – with the Reds setting a £35m price-tag this summer just gone when Atletico Madrid came calling – according to the Independent.

With Adam Lallana and James Milner ageing, though, there might be room for Grujic to come in – although with Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain already struggling for minutes it does seem like quite a difficult midfield to break into.

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