This is probably a sensible move from Marko Grujic.
Despite wearing the No.8 shirt for Red Star Belgrade – where he has returned on loan after becoming Jurgen Klopp’s first Liverpool signing – the 19-year-old is planning to choose No.35 or No.88 at Anfield next season.
Grujic, who was recently named the 20th best under-20 player in the world, told a Serbian journalist that he doesn’t want the pressure of emulating Steven Gerrard in the No.8 jersey.
Grujic "No one could bear the weight of Gerrard's No 8! Not even players from Real. I'll wear 35 or 88. Or something related to no 8." #LFC
— Vlasta Stevanovich (@vlstastevanovic) January 30, 2016
Grujic "I can't wait to start training with LFC. I'm so happy to have signed for them." #LFC
— Vlasta Stevanovich (@vlstastevanovic) January 30, 2016
Grujic "I have fulfilled my boyhood dream of playing for Liverpool!" #LFC
— Vlasta Stevanovich (@vlstastevanovic) January 30, 2016
It’s a smart move in our opinion, as the weight of following in Gerrard’s footsteps would be enough to crush even the most experienced of players.
