Jurgen Klopp’s first Liverpool signing did not go down as one of his best pieces of business (Image: PA)
Jurgen Klopp’s maiden signing for Liverpool was left confused by the manager’s handling of his Anfield career before doing “everything” to leave. Marko Grujic, who was snapped up from Red Star in January 2016, found himself limited to just 16 appearances under Klopp.
Despite initial optimism, his time at Liverpool saw him shunted off on various loan spells at Cardiff City, Herta Berlin and Porto, before finally sealing a permanent move to the latter in the summer of 2021. The Serbian midfielder’s frustration grew due to what he perceived as conflicting signals regarding his future with the club.
Asked by Serbian outlet Kurir midway through his Porto loan if he had spoken to Klopp about his future, he said: “Of course. I believe that they believe in me.
“In every conversation, whether it’s Klopp or one of the directors, they always remind me that I am a player of great potential. But when I get into the system I don’t get a chance. It confuses me a little.”
After two years at Herta, Grujic felt he needed to move on again after seeing Thiago Alcantara join the Reds from Bayern Munich. Had he stayed with Liverpool, he may have got a run of games under Klopp, whose side was beset with injuries during the 2020/21 campaign.
He had no regrets in joining Porto, initially on loan, though. He added: “I went through [pre-season] preparations with the club [Liverpool]. After two years in the Bundesliga, I returned more mature to England. That’s what they told me in Liverpool.
“But when Thiago Alcantara came from Bayern, I estimated that there would not be much space for me. I didn’t want to gamble. I see now that there are a lot of injured players at Anfield. It is certain that I would get a chance, but I could not have foreseen that.”
Marko Grujic signing for Liverpool in 2016 (Image: Liverpool FC)
Soon after those words, Grujic, now 28, was severing ties with Liverpool as part of a £10.5million move to Porto. He told the Portuguese club’s website of his desire to get the deal done.
“I’m really happy,” he said. “I did everything I could to return to FC Porto and I am very happy that this day has arrived. The clubs reached an agreement and returning to FC Porto was the most important thing for me, as I felt very good here last season.”
Grujic’s decision to leave Liverpool has paid off with the midfielder winning eight trophies, including one league triumph, with Porto. However, in recent times, he has become more of a squad player, playing just 21 matches last season and just 76 minutes so far this season.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1946779/jurgen-klopp-first-liverpool-signing-Marko-Grujic