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NEW Liverpool signing Marko Grujic has revealed that he almost pulled the plug on his £5.1m switch to Anfield – because he suffers from claustrophobia!

The Serbian midfielder became Jurgen Klopp’s first signing last week, then immediately returned to Red Star Belgrade on loan for the rest of the Serbian SuperLiga season.

But Grujic explained that the transfer very nearly never happened when he heard that his medical would involve an hour-long session sealed inside an MRI scanner.

“I am very claustrophobic, so it was very scary for me to lie for one hour in the dark in the MRI scanner,” he said.

“When I heard that the MRI scan was compulsory, I was very close to saying that I didn’t want to do it! I was really afraid. I couldn’t stay inside it for one minute!

“I called the doctor and raised a bit of panic so they were persuading me for around 20 minutes before I finally accepted to go inside it again. Finally, I bit the bullet and I got on with it. They made some special conditions for me.

“After that, I went to Melwood, signed the deals and they took photos of me.”

Grujic is thrilled that he did overcome his fears and agree to join the Reds.

And he revealed that Klopp has already given him a programme to follow to ensure that his transition from Serbian SuperLiga to the English Premier League is as seamless as possible when he does arrive in England permanently this summer.

“It’s a big deal,” he added. “I’ve spent 2-3 days in the LFC camp at Anfield and in the city itself. Everything there left a really great impression on me.

“I also got some responsibilities for the next part of the season. They gave me a programme for the upcoming period which I will have to adhere to. Now, I will concentrate on Red Star and be the same old Marko Grujic.

“He (Klopp) told me that it was very important for me to stay focused during the upcoming six months – that this is only the first step in my career and that I shouldn’t relax too much.

“He also told me that I should pay attention to what I eat, and that even though our league break will be 5-6 weeks I shouldn’t rest for more than two weeks and come prepared for the start of the pre-season with LFC.

“This year Liverpool will have pre season preparations in USA while before they often had tours in Asia.”