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New Liverpool signing Marko Grujic has revealed how a telephone call with Jurgen Klopp clinched his move to Anfield.

Grujic became Klopp’s first signing at the club on Wednesday, joining the Reds in a £5.1m deal, and will officially begin with his new side in the summer after returning to Red Star Belgrade on loan.

Despite interest from other clubs – including Inter Milan, Chelsea, Zenit St Petersburg and CSKA Moscow – the Serbian midfielder swayed towards Liverpool after Klopp became personally involved in the deal.

Assistant boss Zeljko Buvac had also been closely monitoring the progress of the 19-year-old.

And Grujic has now relayed how Klopp’s call put him at ease ahead of him taking the next step in his career.

“He called me one month [ago] on my phone and spoke to me very well,” Grujic said. “I was thinking about my progress in my next period and decided it was good for me to come here and try to be the best I can.

“Yes, [I was excited]. When I spoke with him directly I was a little nervous, but after two or three minutes it was okay. He made me feel at ease.”

Grujic has been a standout performer for Red Star this season, scoring five goals in 21 games in central midfield.

He admits that is where he sees his future at Liverpool, having paid close attention to his new club over the past few months.

“In the last two months, I’ve watched every Liverpool game,” he added. “When I was linked with Liverpool, I started to watch every game. I also watched them before, but now I watch every game. “We’ve been unlucky in some games, but I think in the next period we will take many points and we can finish in one of the top four positions in the league.

“I think I have good height and if I do more fitness training to adapt to this league, I think my body can do everything I need.

“I’ve only played in the Serbian league and it’s not as high a level as the Premier League, but I think after three or four months, with good preparation here, I’ll be able to play here

“I think central midfield is best for me.”

The teenager, who has been capped by Serbia Under-21s, also spoke of how Liverpool’s pre-season tour of Australia in 2013 – when 90,000 fans sold out Melbourne Cricket Ground – piqued his interest in the club.

“I’ve seen the atmosphere at Anfield – and I’ve also watched a video of when Liverpool played in Melbourne.

“Our fans made an incredible atmosphere so far away from England. They love the club and that’s most important.

“I saw when they sang You’ll Never Walk Alone. That’s why they’re one of the best sets of fans in Europe.”