" Marko Grujic ? "

" Marko Grujic Future ? "


'Marko Grujic simply loved playing regularly at Cardiff, Liverpool youngster will go down in Bluebirds folklore', but for now returns to Liverpool -

Liverpool Echo


Wednesday 9th May 2018

Marko Grujic's loan spell at Cardiff City was an undoubted success for all concerned.

The Bluebirds will return to the Premier League next season after their second-place finish was confirmed after their goalless draw to Reading over the weekend.

Grujic made 14 appearances for Neil Warnock's side after moving to Wales on loan in January and the combative midfielder returns to Anfield with some much-needed first-team experience under his belt.







But just how effective was the Serbia international at Cardiff?

The ECHO spoke to football journalist and lifelong Cardiff fan Daniel Lewis to get the low-down on Grujic's time with the Bluebirds.

Obviously Grujic came in back in January, just how influential was he towards the promotion charge?


The loan signing of Grujic was yet another smart acquisition by Neil Warnock midway through the campaign, strengthening an area of the field where a little more quality was always going to be required.

It noticeably took him a few games to get going, looking particularly out of his depth against Manchester City in the FA Cup – as did pretty much all of his team-mates - but that was something supporters were willing to accept.

Over time Grujic grew into the role and it says a lot that many were surprised to see him omitted from the starting line-up to face Reading on the final day.

Others played a more important part in the promotion success – fellow central midfielder Joe Ralls in particular – but the Serbian certainly contributed and will now see his name go down in City folklore.

Marko Grujic of Liverpool and Isaac Christie-Davies of Chelsea (Image: Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Too often in games he would appear to lose concentration in those early stages of his loan, yet moments later he would play an impressive pass or produce a strong challenge, providing a reminder that this is a player heralded as potentially one of the next big things.

Just one goal and zero assists is something that does need to be improved on, although ultimately – and a look through his social media posts highlights this – Grujic quite simply loved playing on a more regular basis.







General perception seemed to be that he had made a positive impact with the Bluebirds, did he win the fans over?

Marko Grujic of Liverpool during a training session at Melwood (Image: Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Again, early on some were frustrated due to some pretty below-par performances, yet come the end of the season he was a regular starter – bar the final game at Reading, which was a real surprise.

The youngster wasn't exactly around long enough to become a fan favourite, as such, but there was certainly a sense that he was willing to plug away and do what was required to help the side – always a key trait for any player.

Grujic was also willing to do the dirty work – wonder why Warnock was so keen to land him?! - earning himself five yellow cards across his 13 league appearances.

Most tellingly of all, though, is the fact that just one of those matches ended in defeat, suggesting that he was certainly doing something right, even if a lot of his work can often go a little under the radar.





When would you say he turned in his best performance?

A couple of games stand out, such as the 3-2 home win over Birmingham City – Cardiff led 3-0 at the interval – when controlling play, while the 2-0 victory against Bolton Wanderers in February provided another chance to showcase his ability to keep things simple.

There was also his goal against Barnsley a month later, taking on a shot from 20 yards which was perfectly directed towards the bottom corner. The biggest criticism of Grujic, particularly after witnessing that strike, has to be his lack of serious goalscoring threat in and around the box.

The 22-year-old may not be in the side to score goals, as such, but that is an area of his game that he will likely have to develop in a day and age when midfielders are expected to chip in with a bit of everything.





Do you see a situation where Neil Warnock will push to extend the loan for next season?

All this on what is expected to be a shoestring budget, ruling out lavish signings. With that in mind, loan signings are surely high on the agenda, so retaining Grujic would be a move that suits all three parties – the player and both clubs.

That said - and this could be quite telling – Grujic played 14 times in all competitions from January through to May. That is the exact number of games that he had to be used in to avoid triggering a 'punishment', as Warnock put it, as part of the loan agreement with Liverpool.

This all comes down to whether Cardiff intend to stick or twist prior to next season.

There are a few players that have the capability of adapting to the Premier League, and Grujic – having already got a bit of experience under his belt – would not be a bad option to have in the matchday squad.

Jurgen Klopp, too, will surely be happy to see one of his talented younger players play semi-regularly before heading back to Anfield as a more rounded player in a year's time.

From what you saw this season, can you see him eventually making his mark long term at Anfield?

The thing about short-term loan signings is that you never quite know.



Cardiff sent Danny Drinkwater back to Manchester United in 2011 because he wasn't good enough to break into the starting line-up – he is now a Premier League winner and a £35m midfielder (apparently!).

There have also been countless examples of the opposite being true – a great loan signing failing to push on when returning to his parent club.

What can be said about Grujic, however, is that he is a player who does still need to improve certain aspects of his game.

As well as finding the back of the net more often, he also needs to curb his disciplinary problems; a case in point being what could well prove to be his final outing for the club, which lasted just 35 minutes.

Grujic was brought on for injured midfielder Aron Gunnarsson 10 minutes in against Hull City, only to be hauled off at half time after picking up a yellow card for a late challenge on David Meyler, which should have resulted in a red soon after when fouling Fraizer Campbell.

Does he have the ability to one day hold down a spot in the Liverpool first team?

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Simply didn't suit the Championship game.

I still don't understand why he didn't play in the last game (or even those where Gunnar was picked infront of him). Without him I really doubt we would have put that long winning run in just after he signed.

Warnock was obviously proved right the way it turned out but I'd love to know the thinking. Grujic certainly seemed to be enjoying the celebrations on Sunday so if there was any rift it was well hidden.

I think a season long loan with us would suit both clubs unless Liverpool struggle to sign replacements for Chan and Oxlade-Chamberlain. He's just the type of midfield player we're going to need as we will have to retain possession better in the Prem.

Having said all that I'll go with whatever Mr Warnock decides

I still don't understand why he didn't play in the last game (or even those where Gunnar was picked infront of him). Without him I really doubt we would have put that long winning run in just after he signed.

Warnock was obviously proved right the way it turned out but I'd love to know the thinking. Grujic certainly seemed to be enjoying the celebrations on Sunday so if there was any rift it was well hidden.

I think a season long loan with us would suit both clubs unless Liverpool struggle to sign replacements for Chan and Oxlade-Chamberlain. He's just the type of midfield player we're going to need as we will have to retain possession better in the Prem.

Having said all that I'll go with whatever Mr Warnock decides

I'd take him back in a heartbeat.
Bloke looked different class to me.

Depends how he plays at the World Cup for Serbia. If he has a good one, then he may want to cash in for a big money move somewhere, if Liverpool don’t want to keep him.

I still don't understand why he didn't play in the last game (or even those where Gunnar was picked infront of him). Without him I really doubt we would have put that long winning run in just after he signed.

Warnock was obviously proved right the way it turned out but I'd love to know the thinking. Grujic certainly seemed to be enjoying the celebrations on Sunday so if there was any rift it was well hidden.

I think a season long loan with us would suit both clubs unless Liverpool struggle to sign replacements for Chan and Oxlade-Chamberlain. He's just the type of midfield player we're going to need as we will have to retain possession better in the Prem.

Having said all that I'll go with whatever Mr Warnock decides

I'd take him back in a heartbeat.
Bloke looked different class to me.

I'd love him back next season, he'd be in his elements in the prem.

I still don't understand why he didn't play in the last game (or even those where Gunnar was picked infront of him). Without him I really doubt we would have put that long winning run in just after he signed.

Warnock was obviously proved right the way it turned out but I'd love to know the thinking. Grujic certainly seemed to be enjoying the celebrations on Sunday so if there was any rift it was well hidden.

I think a season long loan with us would suit both clubs unless Liverpool struggle to sign replacements for Chan and Oxlade-Chamberlain. He's just the type of midfield player we're going to need as we will have to retain possession better in the Prem.

Having said all that I'll go with whatever Mr Warnock decides

I'd take him back in a heartbeat.
Bloke looked different class to me.

I'd love him back next season, he'd be in his elements in the prem.

Totally agree. I would love to have him back here for us in the prem

If he was that good why did NW only play him just enough not to be fined by Liverpool?
I thought he was ok !! but what do I know

If he was that good why did NW only play him just enough not to be fined by Liverpool?
I thought he was ok !! but what do I know

Not sure Jules, Perhaps I am the stupid one ( likely ) but for me , he won the majority of his headers and his passing and ball control was brilliant. Seems odd that he used Gunnar so much in the final few games.

None of it matters now as we went up but i'm sure a few would've been asking questions re Grujic hadn't we been promoted on Sunday

If he was that good why did NW only play him just enough not to be fined by Liverpool?
I thought he was ok !! but what do I know

He was very rash, so in the running he was a red card waiting to happen. So i get it.
But technically looked very good, once hes fully match fit.

That’s one huge joke for me .... Go down in Bluebirds folklore!!

The guy done well in most of the games but I wouldn’t want him back next season. He’s little chance of breaking into Liverpool’s team IMO as well.
There’s better out there for us next season.

I don't think we will see him again.

Would take him here everyday of the week, only player who can play a forward pass with the ball remaining on the floor.

But like someone said he was played all the way to the point he met the 13 game requirement he had play.

Would take him here everyday of the week, only player who can play a forward pass with the ball remaining on the floor.

But like someone said he was played all the way to the point he met the 13 game requirement he had play.

NW could, of course, be playing the long game. If we appear to be too anxious to get every second out of him, it only pushes up his value either in next season's loan fees, or for an outright purchase. Why would we want to do that?

I'm not saying it's the case, but NW knows his stuff and it's certainly a possible strategy.

wouldnt sign him

Would take him here everyday of the week, only player who can play a forward pass with the ball remaining on the floor.

But like someone said he was played all the way to the point he met the 13 game requirement he had play.

NW could, of course, be playing the long game. If we appear to be too anxious to get every second out of him, it only pushes up his value either in next season's loan fees, or for an outright purchase. Why would we want to do that?

I'm not saying it's the case, but NW knows his stuff and it's certainly a possible strategy.

because we were in a promotion battle and needed our best 11 { in the managers view } in every game ?

I still don't understand why he didn't play in the last game (or even those where Gunnar was picked infront of him). Without him I really doubt we would have put that long winning run in just after he signed.

Warnock was obviously proved right the way it turned out but I'd love to know the thinking. Grujic certainly seemed to be enjoying the celebrations on Sunday so if there was any rift it was well hidden.

I think a season long loan with us would suit both clubs unless Liverpool struggle to sign replacements for Chan and Oxlade-Chamberlain. He's just the type of midfield player we're going to need as we will have to retain possession better in the Prem.

Having said all that I'll go with whatever Mr Warnock decides

He pissed Warnock off at Hulll that’s why and you won’t see him in a city shirt again because Warnock said he can’t trust him

I don't understand this Grujic obsession. He was shocking against Millwall and hardly shone in most of the other games. You can see he has a touch of class - his goal against Burton being the highlight- but he didn't do anywhere near enough to warrant having him back for next year.

Done an OK job here - folk law? No chance.

Didn't look a prem player to me.

I would love to see him return to us, we would carry on improving under Warnock too in my opinion.