Liverpool loanee takes aim at Klopp, Anfield chiefs for ‘confusing’ advice
On-loan Porto midfielder Marko Grujic says that he has become frustrated with mixed messages about his future from parent club Liverpool.
The Reds opted to send the 24-year-old to Portugal in October for a third successive season-long loan spell.
However, the timing of his move – as well as the extended transfer window – meant that he had been working with Liverpool‘s senior squad for some weeks before his exit.
Indeed, he made two Carabao Cup appearances, including Liverpool’s defeat to Arsenal on penalties.
As such, Grujic has claimed that the club’s decision to send him on loan again contradicts the club’s previous statements about his future at Anfield.
“I went through preparations with the club, after two years in the Bundesliga, I returned more mature to England,” he told Kurir. “That’s what they told me in Liverpool
“But when Thiago Alcantara came from Bayern [Munich], 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.”
Grujic added that he had received hopeful messages about a potential role within Jurgen Klopp’s squad.
Asked if he has spoken to Klopp about his next steps, 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.”
Grujic admits Liverpool wanted exit fee
Liverpool attempted to sell Grujic to Porto, who would not accept the Reds’ transfer demands.
“They certainly want to make money on me,” he said of his parent club. “The English are quite demanding during the negotiations. They do not lack money and can close the amount they want. So it is with me.
“It was unrealistic that they asked for 20 million euros for me, so the loan was the most realistic.”
Despite his concerns, Grujic has so far played his part during his spell in Portugal. He has played in six of Porto’s nine LIGA Nos games, as well as making four Champions League outings.
Porto face Juventus in the last 16 and Grujic said of the tie: “There is no easy opponent. Everyone at the club was afraid of Liverpool and Bayern, and Juventus fell to us.
“Cristiano Ronaldo is returning to Portugal, we’ll see.”
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