Marko Grujic has revealed that he needed to convince Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp to approve his loan back to Red Star Belgrade after signing for the Anfield club in order to realise a childhood dream of winning a league title with his boyhood club.
Liverpool are currently struggling with an injury crisis and the Serbia under-21 international, who joined the club week, would have provided Klopp vital cover in midfield. However, the 19-year-old will spend another six months on loan back in Serbia.
"One of the first questions I got was why wouldn't I come to Liverpool straight away, because they have a lot of problems with injuries?" Grujic told Red Star's television channel.
"Klopp himself told me that he needed me right then and there but I just couldn't give up on my dream of winning a title with Red Star.
"This has been my dream ever since I started playing football. Now that I'm so close to fulfilling that dream I wasn't going to give that up lightly.
"We have a great advantage over the rivals and I'd really like to finish what I have started. We want to continue this winning streak and write history with Red Star.
"Their desire was for me to join LFC in January, but they understood what it's like to win a title with your mother club.
"After winning the trophy with Red Star, I will be very satisfied and self-confident when joining LFC for the preseason."
Grujic not only plans to exit Red Star having won them the league title, but also in a better financial position. It's been reported that Liverpool paid Red Star Belgrade about £5.1 million for the midfielder, and will also pass on 10 percent of any future transfer fee.
"As we all know, Red Star is in a bad financial situation," Grujic said.
"The players didn't receive any salaries since the summer. We only got some bonuses.
"But I know how difficult it is for youth coaches, the chef, and other people working for the club who haven't received one salary for a while now.
"This financial injection is not a small deal and it will help the club function better."