22 March 2023 , 08:00
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Marko Grujic is already the answer to an obscure question about Liverpool's recent history.
Jurgen Klopp has ushered in an era of unrelenting success on Merseyside, bringing some of the best talents in the world to Anfield under his watch. But when asked to recall his very first signing, few would immediately lump for the Serbian midfielder.
“When I came here, our scouts showed me some footage of a very skilled player from Red Star Belgrade,” Klopp explained back in January 2016. “He can play passes and can dribble. But he is young, so he has to develop. He will do this, so everything is OK.”
Unfortunately for Grujic, he didn't develop sufficiently in Klopp’s eyes and after loan spells with Cardiff City and Hertha Berlin, he left permanently in 2021, having made just 16 appearances.
But with his reputation rebuilt with FC Porto, the 26-year-old could find himself included in another piece of interesting trivia; players to have appeared for both Liverpool and Manchester United in the Premier League.
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According to recent reports, Erik ten Hag is plotting a move for the midfielder, with ‘serious contact’ already made with his representatives. The United boss is hoping to beef up his options in the middle of the park as he continues his ambitious Old Trafford rebuild.
There is said to be some reservations on Grujic’s part, who remains a Liverpool fan, despite the frustrating five years he had with his boyhood club. But if he can overcome that, he would join a very select group to have turned out for the two arch rivals.
No player has made the trip directly since 1964, when Phil Chisnall made that move. In the Premier League era, only two have turned out for both - Paul Ince and Michael Owen.
Erik ten Hag is reportedly interested in signing Porto star Grujic (Getty Images)Ince was a fan favourite at United, winning the FA Cup in his debut season, before winning every domestic honour in six sparkling seasons in the red half of Manchester. However, at the peak of his powers, Ince was sold with Sir Alex Ferguson instead turning to the historic Class of 92.
‘The Guvnor’ initially joined Inter Milan, before returning to the Premier League two years later with Liverpool. Ferguson made sure he never broke the unwritten rule in allowing a player to join their foes directly though. When Gabriel Heinze attempted to engineer a move down the M62, Fergie stepped in and although the player desperately wanted the move, the manager had the final say.
Michael Owen is the only other to wear both iconic red jerseys, with the Liverpool academy graduate souring his relationship with the Kop by signing for United in the twilight of his career. The ex-England ace broke Liverpool hearts by joining Real Madrid, but it was his switch to the Red Devils which was a betrayal many won’t forgive to this day.
Michael Owen was the last Liverpool player to end up at Manchester United (Matthew Peters/Getty Images)“I wished things had been different and I had come back to Liverpool and lived happily ever after,” Owen explained. "But I would still sign for Man United because that was the best option at the time. I'm not ashamed of what I did despite people wanting me to be ashamed.”
And while Sir Alex was happy to sign ex-Liverpool players, Klopp revealed he had an entirely different stance. In 2019, he admitted that without his previous United connections, he may have sanctioned a move for Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
"If he hadn't played for Manchester United, then we might have considered him,” the German joked. "But I'm not even sure he would have wanted to play here -- we're a pretty intense team.”
Ten Hag will soon have to weigh up whether he is more Ferguson than Klopp. Either way, Grujic will remain a part of pub quizzes for years to come.
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