Liverpool midfielder Marko Grujic says he wishes to stay at Hertha Berlin after a successful loan spell this year.
The Serbian midfielder joined the Bundesliga side after moving on a season-long loan last summer and has hugely impressed so far.
He has made 16 appearances in the league so far, scoring three times and getting one assist from central midfield.
In recent months, comments from Berlin manager Pal Dardai suggest he is keen on retaining Grujic for the next season.
Grujic has echoed that sentiment, insisting he wants to stay in Berlin for another year or two - something Liverpool are likely to agree to.
“I feel very comfortable in Berlin,” Grujic told Bild.
Image: Matthias Kern/Bongarts/Getty Images
“Hertha gave me the great opportunity to play in the Bundesliga. I'm still pretty young, for me this Hertha time—with the exception of injuries—has been brilliant so far to show my qualities.
“But ultimately I cannot decide, but if I could choose myself, I would stay with Hertha for another year, or maybe even two years, to make a very good name for myself by improving all my qualities.”
The 22-year-old moved away from Anfield after finding himself behind the likes of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum, James Milner, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Adam Lallana.
He added that “if Liverpool ever wanted to sell me and I could decide, it would be great if Hertha made an offer.”
Image: Jan Kruger/Getty Images
However, Milner and Lallana are both likely to finish their time at Anfield in the next couple of years, whilst there are still question marks over the fitness of Oxlade-Chamberlain.
It is therefore unlikely that Klopp discards of Grujic and lets him leave on a permanent move. According to the Echo's James Pearce, the boss ensured he "went somewhere that would enable him to mount a serious challenge for a starting role when he returns".
Grujic signed a new long-term contract until 2023 before leaving for Germany, and Liverpool have plenty of time to make a decision on his future.
The boss will be more than happy to bide his time on a midfielder he "sees as first-team material for Liverpool" and it is likely Grujic returns to Berlin on another loan deal next year.
