One to watch for Liverpool: Marko Grujic

His debut campaign may have been disrupted by injury but midfielder Marko Grujic has shown enough to suggest he has a bright future at Liverpool.

The 21-year-old, signed from Red Star Belgrade in 2016, made just eight appearances last season but there are plenty of reasons for fans to be excited.

Liverpool are willing to splash the cash this summer with Mohamed Salah already in place for a costly £36.9million – while the club has chased £50million defender Virgil van Dijk.

But a central midfielder is not on manager Jurgen Klopp’s hitlist – and the reason, many suspect, is Grujic.

“There is mutual trust, Klopp values Grujic and expects him to be part of the team next season,” said his representative Zoran Stojadinovic.

“Grujic’s hard work in training and fine performances show plenty of promise, while his playing time would have been more significant hadn’t it been for the injuries.

“In the end, everyone is clear in their intentions to continue together next season.

“Liverpool are great club and such a high professional level requires great effort as road to the top is not easy.

“However, Marko is well-positioned here and his ‘five minutes’ will come. I have no doubt.”

The Serbian certainly has competition for places, with the likes of Georgino Wijnaldum, Philippe Coutinho, Jordan Henderson and Emre Can all pushing hard for minutes.

But Grujic has something different to offer. Technically gifted with an eye for goal, he is seen by many as an upgrade on Joe Allen – who the club offloaded for £15m to Stoke City last summer.

A loan move away from the club was rumoured late last year, with Hamburg, Real Betis and Dinamo Zagreb all linked, as Liverpool honed in on Champions League football – but that now seems unlikely.

With European football returning to Anfield, Grujic will surely see plenty more than ‘five minutes’ and he has the talent to thrive.

Klopp has a track record of promoting young players and giving them a chance to succeed – if he gives Grujic one, then he won’t regret it.