Liverpool may have several players that are leaving the club but some others may have been forgotten about.
Who is the man in question?
After a two-year loan spell at the Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin, Marko Gruijc is set to make his return to Merseyside after attempting to stamp his authority in Europe, while gaining valuable first-team experience.
For the side based in the German capital, the Serbian midfielder managed to score nine goals and provided three assists in 54 appearances in the space of 24 months at the club, as per TransferMarkt.
The 24-year-old still has a long playing career ahead of him and is yet to reach his peak, having only made 14 appearances for the Reds, assisting just one since his £5.1m move from Red Star Belgrade and was Jurgen Klopp’s first signing as manager.
Can Marko Gruijc step into Adam Lallana's shoes?
Yes
No
Gruijc has not really been given an opportunity under the German tactician’s watchful eye, having also endured a loan stint with Cardiff City during the second half of the 2018/19 campaign.
Based on the evidence witnessed and the performances that he has put in, he could fill the shoes of players that have departed the club this summer.
Potential Lallana replacement
With Adam Lallana moving to Brighton & Hove Albion on a free transfer, a hole has been left in the midfield for someone to fill. Whether that is bringing in a player from the outside, or scouting within, it is something that Klopp must consider during the warm break.
Gruijc is a player that can play anywhere across the centre of midfield, either the number six or 10 roles as well as the middle of the park.
A goalscoring midfielder is what Liverpool have lacked for many years. Despite the fact that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was brought to Anfield for that purpose, injury setbacks and not enough starts have meant he only found the net four times from 17 starts in the Premier League, per Whoscored.
Gruijc himself managed to average 3.4 aerial duels won, 2.3 clearances, two long balls and a pass success rate of 78.7%. For an all-rounder in the midfielder, those are some impressive statistics in what is a competitive Bundesliga.
All the 6ft 2 middle man needs is a chance. A decent run of games – just to prove himself. If he gets this, he could shine in the Premier League.