Food for thought – Liverpool might be flying high this season but here is why they should consider utilizing this on-loan 22-year-old more often in the next term

Why Liverpool should start using Marko Grujic next season

According to ESPN, Marko Grujic, who is on loan at Bundesliga club Hertha Berlin from Liverpool, is confident of playing a role in the Reds’ first team under Jurgen Klopp next season.

Grujic was loaned out to Hertha Berlin at the start of the season and the 22-year-old Serbian international has impressed on his loan spell, accumulating 2 goals and an assist from 12 appearances in the Bundesliga. This is Grujic’s second fruitful loan spell on a trot after he helped Cardiff City secure promotion to the Premier League last season.

Grujic, who was signed from Serbian club Red Star Belgrade back in January 2016, was Jurgen Klopp’s first signing at Liverpool. However, the talented midfielder has made only 14 appearances for the Reds across all competitions over the course of three years, with the youngster furthering his development on loan at Red Star Belgrade, Cardiff and Hertha Berlin.

Grujic has been one of the mainstays of Hertha’s midfield this season and has impressed with his calmness and composure on the ball, wonderful range of passing, as well as his ability to cut out the opposition’s attacks with tackles and interceptions. The Serb has also proved his versatility by playing in No.6 and No.8 roles at Hertha.

Standing at 6ft.3 inches with a towering frame, Grujic is a tough-tackling all-action central midfielder who excels with his positional awareness and game-reading abilities. The 22-year-old resembles someone like Nemanja Matic in his stature and style of play, but unlike Matic, who is more suited to a holding role, Grujic can flourish in both defensive and box-to-box roles with his attacking instincts. Furthermore, he is very strong in the air, making him a promising midfielder with well-rounded attributes.

Grujic has averaged 35.2 passes per game with an accuracy percentage of 81.3, including 0.8 key passes, 1.5 tackles, 3.6 aerial duels, 1.3 interceptions and 2.8 clearances per game in the Bundesliga this term, figures which speak volumes of his development.

To put things into perspective, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp should include the talented Serb in his first-team plans for the upcoming season as the 22-year-old has already shown that he is capable of playing at the highest level. Klopp has favoured a 4-3-3 with a No.6 and two No.8s and Grujic’s versatility to play both roles in the midfield should be a lucrative proposition for the Reds.

Liverpool are currently well-stocked in the central midfield department, with the likes of Georginio Wijnaldum, Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Fabinho and Naby Keita all capable of playing in Klopp’s midfield three. However, the Reds should consider Grujic to provide cover and competition for the ageing James Milner.

Grujic is a player with massive potential, and while it would be unrealistic to imagine him starting too many games at Liverpool, the youngster can turn out to be an efficient squad player for the Reds. Liverpool need more depth in their squad to take the pressure off the first-choice players in the domestic cup competitions and Marko Grujic can certainly play a substantial role.

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That said, Liverpool should make an attempt to give him some regular first-team minutes in the Premier League next season.