Marko Grujić, the very first player Jurgen Klopp brought to Liverpool, once carried the promise of being a midfield mainstay under the German tactician. Signed in January 2016 for £5.1 million from Red Star Belgrade, expectations were high. Yet nearly a decade later, the Serbian’s name is a footnote in Liverpool’s transfer history.
Despite showing glimpses of brilliance—like his pre-season header against Barcelona at Wembley—injuries and fierce competition from established midfielders like Wijnaldum and Henderson kept Grujić on the fringes. He made just 16 appearances, scoring once, before a series of loan spells to Cardiff, Hertha Berlin, and ultimately Porto.
A New Beginning in Portugal
It was at FC Porto where Grujić finally found stability. Initially arriving on loan, he impressed enough for the Portuguese giants to make the move permanent in 2021 for £10.5 million. Since then, he’s racked up 140 appearances, played a pivotal role in winning the Liga Portugal title, and added multiple domestic cups to his resume.
His commitment to Porto is evident: “I did everything I could to return… From the first day I left, the fans were asking me to come back.” Grujić’s dedication paid off—though his heel injury in the 2024/25 season limited him to just two league games, he remains a valued squad member at 29.
Legacy at Liverpool
While he never lived up to his early Anfield promise, Grujić’s development speaks to Klopp’s faith in nurturing talent, even if not all paths lead to Merseyside stardom. His story is a testament to perseverance—and a reminder that success often requires the right environment.
Klopp may have started with a miss in Grujić, but what followed—Salah, Mané, Van Dijk, Alisson—cemented his legacy as one of football’s shrewdest
recruiters.
