The lowdown on Liverpool signing Marko Grujić
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Article summary
Liverpool have completed the signing of Marko Grujić from Crvena zvezda. Our Serbian correspondent gives the lowdown on a 19-year-old considered the Balkan nation's hottest talent.
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What's his background?
Belgrade-born Grujić has been with Crvena zvezda since he was nine and made his league debut in May 2013, a few weeks after turning 17. He spent part of last season on loan at second division side Kolubara but his real breakthrough has come over the past seven months. He helped Serbia win the FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand in June and has been a fixture in the Crvena zvezda team ever since.
What kind of player is he?
Grujić is a strong all-round midfielder. He can play a holding role in front of the back line, but is just as useful further up the pitch. His technique is phenomenal and he controls the ball like it is on a piece of string. He is as strong as an ox, fast if not blisteringly so and can deliver a killer pass. He also possesses a threat from long range – two of his five league goals this term have been scorchers.
How has he been this season?
Incredible! With Grujić in the starting XI, Crvena zvezda (better known in England as Red Star) have won 19 out of 19 in the league; without him, they have managed a solitary victory in three. The side that finished runners-up to rivals Partizan last season are a whopping 25 points clear and, to top it off, the 1.91m-tall youngster also made his Serbia U21 debut in September.
How will he fit in at Liverpool?
The great unknown. It is a huge step up from the SuperLiga, but he has no fear and his quality and confidence stand him in good stead. There are parallels between Grujić and the player he most admired growing up, Dejan Stanković. They both started out at home-town club Crvena zvezda and joined one of Europe's biggest sides aged 19. Things did not go too badly for Stanković, who, it must be said, made an immediate impression at Lazio.