Who is… Marko Grujic, the ‘Serbian Steven Gerrard’ set for Liverpool?
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Comparing any player to one as special to Liverpool fans as Steven Gerrard might seem like a bit over the top, but that is what one source has described Marko Grujic as.
The 19-year-old is reportedly in Merseyside for his medical ahead of a move to Anfield from Red Star Belgrade in a £5.1m move.
While he has an extremely long way to go to match the exploits of the Reds former number eight, Grujic has had some talismanic qualities about him in his home country this season.
The Belgrade outfit have been utterly dominant in the Serbian Super Liga this term, holding a 25-point lead, with 20 wins from their 22 fixtures to date.
It could have been better if they had played the youngster in those two draws though, with the Crveno-beli triumphing in all 21 matches he has started this season when encompassing all competitions.
Compare that to the (only) five matches in which they have failed to triumph when he hasn’t started, and the effect Grujic has on the side is clear.
The five-cap Serbia Under-21 international also featured for his country as they claimed the Under-20 World Cup last summer, with the Belgrade man playing a starring role.
He’s a product of the Red Star Belgrade academy, a youth system that has brought through the likes of Robert Prosinecki, Dejan Stankovic and Nemanja Vidic amongst others, captaining his generation along the way.
A versatile midfielder, capable of playing just in front of the defence or in behind the strikers, Grujic will certainly add his fair share of goals when taking to the Anfield pitch.
Strong on the ball with an eye for a through pass, Klopp’s rebuilding of the Reds squad could start off with a very decent acquisition.
He’s netted five goals and provided seven assists in the league this term, a tally likely to increase when he returns on loan to his current club for the rest of the season after sealing his Liverpool deal.
You can check out some of his goals and assists so far this season below, and you will note he is a fan of a long-range effort. Now which former Liverpool midfielder does that remind us of?
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