Liverpool supporters in the Transfer Tavern have just about got over their team’s disappointing Champions League defeat at the hands of Real Madrid last month, what with the Reds going down 3-1 to the La Liga heavyweights.
Jurgen Klopp’s men went into their meeting with the two-times defending champions full of confidence after beating the likes of Porto, Manchester City, and Roma en route to the showpiece, although they were second-best in Kiev on May 26. A brace from Gareth Bale, the first one of the best goals ever seen in Champions League final history, alongside Karim Benzema’s opener secured victory for Real, in turn clinching their third successive European crown, and 13th in their history.
As such, there have been many despondent Liverpudlians in the Tavern in recent times, several of whom are likely to be intrigued by recent reports linking Marko Grujic with a move to Lazio this summer.
And while the Merseysiders should seek to sanction the £4.5 million-rated (as per Transfermarkt) star’s departure this summer, it should only be on the condition that it is a loan deal, not a permanent one.
Ultimately, the 22-year-old has found first team opportunities hard to come by at Anfield in earning just 14 senior appearances for Klopp’s side, to the point that he was shipped out on loan to Championship side Cardiff City back in January, for whom he scored once in 14 appearances to help to promotion to the Premier League.
And with the midfield ranks likely to remain fiercely competitive and strong at Anfield ahead of next season, despite Emre Can’s departure, it’s difficult to see where Grujic fits into Klopp’s first team plans, in the near future at least.
However, at the tender age of 22, and with Klopp himself the man who pushed through a deal to bring the Serbia international to Liverpool back in January 2016, it’s clear that the German highly rates the midfielder, and as such would likely want him a part of the future at Anfield.
Things are certainly heading in the right direction at Anfield under Klopp after another top four finish in the Premier League and having reached the Champions League final, but Klopp will likely already be thinking about how his team can maintain their position in England’s elite group for many years to come – Grujic could, and perhaps should, be a part of that.
Be it as a slightly more defensive-minded midfielder, or indeed in a more advanced role, the 22-year-old has proven his worth in a variety of different positions in the middle of the park during his separate loan spells at Red Star Belgrade and Cardiff – another loan move away can only serve to hone in on those talents.
And while remaining at Anfield, and training with quality players week in week out, would undoubtedly benefit Grujic’s progression, he needs minutes on the pitch to continue his development – that simply isn’t likely at Anfield.
But with Klopp having sought to sign the Serbian star two years ago, he’s unlikely going to want to let him leave, so while they should consider letting Grujic go this summer, it simply must be on the condition that it is a loan move.
Liverpool fans… what do you think? Let us know!
