'Man mountain' Grujic looks worth the wait

Kopites have had their fingers burned before. The likes of Bruno Cheyrou and Iago Aspas looked like world beaters in friendly contests, only to flop badly when it really mattered.

Marko Grujic will certainly have much tougher assignments than dealing with a League One outfit enjoying their first run out of the summer.

But the young Serbian produced the kind of commanding debut for Liverpool which whets the appetite for the challenges ahead.

Signed in January, supporters finally had their first glimpse of the combative midfielder at Fleetwood Town's Highbury Stadium and he looks to be worth the wait.

When Liverpool signed him from Red Star Belgrade for £5.1million in January they agreed to his request to stay at his boyhood club on loan for the rest of the campaign in order to help them clinch the title.

Grujic was only granted a work permit last week and left the country on Sunday, spending the night in Paris before flying back to the UK, in order to satisfy the bizarre regulations.

But now the red tape has been sorted he's free to launch his Reds career and during his 45 minutes on the field he was the game's outstanding performer.

Grujic drilled home Liverpool's opening goal before watching on as a different line up tore Fleetwood to shreds in the second half.

The Serbia international only turned 20 in April but at 6ft 3ins he's a man mountain. Too often last season Jurgen Klopp's side got bullied by opponents and he will provide the kind of physical presence they have been crying out for.

There's no doubt he looks a perfect fit for the rough and tumble of Premier League football.

Ultimately, this turned into a rout as Steven Pressley's men capitulated and Liverpool made it two wins out of two in pre-season.

Klopp's young guns once again made big contributions. Academy prodigy Ben Woodburn bagged his first senior goal with a collectors' item from Lucas Leiva followed by a late double from Roberto Firmino.

Liverpool's dominance in the first half was such that Loris Karius is still waiting to make his first proper save for the club.

The German keeper could have done with a deckchair in the Lancashire sunshine as Klopp's men remained camped in Fleetwood's half.

Sadio Mane, so lively on the right against Tranmere, impressed once again after being deployed on the opposite flank.

Grujic was at the heart of everything best about the visitors and showcased his ability when he earned an early penalty.

Fleetwood captain Jimmy Ryan bounced off him before Grujic surged into the penalty box and was tripped by Akil Wright.

Danny Ings stepped up to take the spot-kick but his tame effort was parried by Chris Neal and the striker couldn't convert the rebound.

It proved to be a frustrating evening for Ings, who wasn't able to build on his match-winning display at Prenton Park.

The England international will have a big role to play this season but patience is required following such a long absence after rupturing his cruciate ligament.

In the 18th minute Liverpool belatedly made the breakthrough.

Mane linked up expertly with Alberto Moreno down the left and the full-back's cross found its way to Grujic.

The youngster took a touch to steady himself and drilled home via a deflection. His delight was clear as he slid on his knees in celebration with his fists clenched.

Fleetwood simply couldn't handle Grujic, who went close to a second soon after when he hammered against the woodwork from an acute angle.

With Mamadou Sakho's lengthy absence set to continue due to an Achilles injury, Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip look set to form Liverpool's first-choice centre-back combination this season.

The early signs are promising but in truth neither has been really tested so far.

Stand-in captain Lovren saw his header expertly kept out by Neal as the Reds remained firmly in the ascendancy.

There was a heated exchange between Klopp and Fleetwood boss Pressley after a few heavy challenges went in.

Ryan, who spent 12 years on Liverpool's books and is still at Anfield season ticket holder, got a ticking off from Kevin Friend after leaving his studs on Grujic.

Both clubs fielded completely different line ups in the second half with Klopp turning to Academy youngsters like Woodburn, Ovie Ejaria, Ryan Kent and Cameron Brannagan.

They all enhanced their reputations with Liverpool moving the ball better than they did with more illustrious names out there prior to the interval. Some slick approach play saw them help repeatedly carve Fleetwood open.

Wales U17s international Woodburn is still so young he doesn't even have a profile on the Academy section of the club's official website but keeping him a secret is proving impossible.

The 16-year-old from Tattenhall near Chester lit up Liverpool's FA Youth Cup campaign last season and now he's transferred his talents to the first-team ranks.

Seven minutes after the break Woodburn was celebrating the milestone of his first senior goal. He coolly slotted home after Kent's low cross had dropped to his feet.

Positive and direct, Woodburn tormented Fleetwood down the left flank and only a sprawling save from Alexander Cairns denied the rookie further reward.

Lucas Leiva, whose last competitive goal came against Steaua Bucharest six years ago, made it 3-0 with a neat finish after Kent again turned provider.

Fleetwood were shambolic defensively with Ejaria relishing the space afforded to him. When Woodburn was thwarted by Cairns again, Firmino was on hand to convert the loose ball.

Victory was complete in stoppage time when Woodburn's low cross was turned in by Firmino for his second of the night.

But it was Grujic's contribution which made the real lasting impression.

Source: Liverpool Echo

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