Porto midfielder Marko Grujic has said that Liverpool sought his advice before signing Luis Diaz.
Speaking to The Athletic, the former Liverpool player said that he was approached after Porto were beaten 2-0 at Anfield in November.
“Some people from the club asked me what Luis was like as a person,” said Grujic.
“They asked me about his behaviour off the field. I told them that he was a great guy who would fit easily into any group of lads. I also spoke a bit with Luis about Liverpool. Luis was very happy that a club like Liverpool were interested in him.”
It isn’t a surprise to hear of Liverpool doing their homework to this extent. Jurgen Klopp places huge emphasis on players’ personality as well as on-pitch performance.
In this context it makes perfect sense to seek out someone known to the club who is currently working alongside the player.
Grujic’s glowing recommendation is also ringing true already. We’ve already seen glimpses of Diaz’s personality. Klopp said yesterday that he’d “never seen a player smile that constantly” during a rondo session. Positive signs.
What else did Grujic say
The Serbian midfielder also gave some insight into Diaz as a player and a teammate.
“It’s maybe a bit more difficult in the Premier League but he will adapt quite well, I’m sure about that,” said the 25-year-old.
“He has the physical attributes. He’s strong and his pace and acceleration are incredible. He has unbelievably quick feet and that gives him the quality to play against any defender.”
That all serves to make him sound as if he was tailor-made to play for The Reds.
Why ask him
Grujic was finally sold by Klopp last summer after five-and-a-half years at Liverpool. The Serbian spent much of that time away from the club on loan.
But he is clearly someone who’s opinion the manager holds in high regard. Although he was never able to make his mark at Liverpool, he knows all of Klopp’s current squad personally.
He has also been at Porto for 18 months now. That will have given him enough time to get a well-rounded view on Liverpool’s new man both as a person and as a player.
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