Marko Grujic On Keeping His Liverpool “Dream” Alive

After a year in which he was Hertha Berlin’s best player when fit but struggled through injuries—and watched Hertha struggle while he did—Marko Grujic is back in the Bundesliga for a second season, but he says his long-term targets aren’t in Germany.

“My dream is to get the chance in Liverpool next season,” said the 23-year-old midfielder. “If not, I would be happy to come back and be part of this project. I’m a Hertha fan. Everything here is very professional and ambitious. The conditions are promising.”

Hertha may have a bright future, but in the present they’re struggling, a point behind Fortuna Dusseldorf and in the relegation places—though positioned such that were the season to end today they’d face a playoff to retain their place in the top flight.

Grujic, though, has at least had a healthier season so far personally, having played in 12 of Hertha’s 13 league games so far plus making two appearances in the DFB-Pokal Cup, with two goals and an assist to show for 1225 total minutes on the pitch.

He hasn’t hit the same highs he did last season at times when he was healthy, but he’s stayed fit and gotten regular minutes. And for Grujic, that’s the most important thing if he’s targeting a return to Liverpool next summer and a first team role.

“Most importantly, I’m getting playing time,” he added. “We analyze all my games with the hope that I will play in Liverpool next year. If it does not work and the club wants to loan me again then I would be very happy to spend another season with Hertha.”