Marko Grujic
Marko Grujic (centre left) was part of the Serbia side that won the Under-20 World Cup in the summer Getty

New Liverpool signing Marko Grujic has revealed he will look to Dejan Lovren to help him adapt to the Premier League next season, after having had a conversation with the Croatian centre-back at Melwood. The Serbian U21 international has also talked up his excitement over playing with Philippe Coutinho, and admitted that a phone call from Jurgen Klopp swayed his decision to move to the Merseysiders.

Grujic was announced as the Premier League giants' first signing of the Klopp era on 6 January, after the club paid Red Star Belgrade £5.1m ($7.5m) for his services. The 19-year-old is delighted with the deal, although his Liverpool debut will have to wait until next season, as he will be staying at his current club on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

Grujic has already met some of his future teammates, visiting the training ground and speaking with Lovren, who speaks the same language as him.

"[Lovren] is from Croatia, which is near to my country, so we speak the same language. He says it is a good idea to come here. He told me about the club and the size of it, and that they have one of the best sets of fans in Europe. He said he can't wait to see me here," Grujic revealed to the official club website, adding that he hopes the veteran centre-back will help him settle at Anfield next year.

"Yes, I think I'll need that. I think he will stay in the next period and I will meet with him to start preparation for next season."

The Serbian defender also revealed that he has watched every single Liverpool game since rumours first linked him to the club, and paid special tribute to Coutinho.

"I like all of the midfielders, but I think Coutinho is one of the best players in his position in Europe – or even the world."

Grujic confirmed that a phone call from Klopp helped convince him to make the move, and said he was eagerly awaiting a chance to work under the German.

"He said I must be relaxed and I am coming to a big club, one of the biggest in Europe. And when I start pre-season in preparation for next season, I need to concentrate on my job on the pitch and that's it," the starlet said. "He called me one month [ago] on my phone and spoke to me very well. 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."