21 Dec 2015 10:06:18
Liverpool Echo reporting Marko Grujic has agreed a contract and will have a medical later this week. GBP 5 deal plus 10% sell on clause. In addition he will be loaned back to Red Star for the rest of the season.

1.) 21 Dec 2015
21 Dec 2015 13:48:03
What does this deal mean for Rossiter, will he see this as another obstruction on his path to be a 1st team player? Not sure if the Serbian lad plays in the same position, so like the man in the orthopaedic shoes, I stand to be corrected.

2.) 22 Dec 2015
22 Dec 2015 08:53:21
Why is everyone so bothered about new players being brought in and "obstructing" paths for players in the LFC pipeline? Yes, it's a definite plus that Rossiter is a Liverpudlian, but then so what? You build a champion team by having at least 2-3 or more players fighting for each place. And we all know it. Did Shankly, Paisley and Dalglish do it another way? Did they give preference to the local players or go for the younger inexperienced players? Or did they assemble the best squad they could and let players fight it out for their places on the field? Yes, nurturing local youngsters is a priority, but not at the expense of the best possible performance on the field. And besides, times have changed in a big way. If clubs are going to be loyal to the local players, then that loyalty has to be reciprocated by the players. And there is no such thing anymore. The Callaghans, Carraghers, Gerrards, Terrys and others are all a dying breed, replaced by mercenaries.

{Ed001's Note - Shankly and Paisley used to bring in younger players to develop them in the reserves before integrating them into the side. Impossible to compare though, as their method was possible due to the much higher level of reserve football in those days. It was properly competitive football back then, something young players lack now. That is why they need to either get first team football early, or go out on loan, or be sold to somewhere they can get first team football and develop.}

3.) 22 Dec 2015
22 Dec 2015 09:14:01
It's not only because he is a local lad that I'm mentioning the possible obstruction, it's a similar situation we had with BR that young players see similar players, of the same age arriving to the club.

Wisdom-Manquillo
Ibe - Marcovic
Ilori - Gomez

Are just a couple of examples I can think of.

{Ed002's Note - Putting aside Ilori already having been discarded prior to Gomez arriving, I don't see that bring in Gujic as being any sort of change of policy away from hoping something decent comes from the academy. You are right that players such as Rossister will look at this and know it makes life harder for him - and as such he needs to think about his future.}