Liverpool Transfer News: Marko Grujic in La Liga Snub, Daniel Sturridge Latest

New Liverpool signing Marko Grujic has revealed he only ever wanted a move to the Reds and would have snubbed the chance to join Barcelona or Real Madrid in order to seal his Anfield switch.

Grujic, 19, joined Liverpool for £5.1 million on a five-year deal from Red Star Belgrade in the winter transfer window before being loaned straight back to the Serbian club. 

Per Serbian newspaper Blic (via James Gray in the Express), Liverpool beat off a number of major clubs, including Inter Milan, to sign the Serbian youngster, but Grujic has now revealed he would have turned down a move elsewhere:

"

I would choose Liverpool over Real Madrid and Barcelona. I love them! I love the Premier League because of the energy and the atmosphere. 

The upcoming six months will be very important for me. I will have a lot of work to do in addition to my training and games at Red Star. The players in Liverpool are phenomenal so I have to work on improving my physical strength. I have to become strong enough because I want to be able to go into a duel with anyone. Liverpool players looked physically flawless. Wide shoulders and strong legs. Everything is on the highest level.

"

It is quite a claim from Grujic given Liverpool's current status in European football compared to Barca and Real.

While the Reds are undoubtedly one of the most storied clubs in world football, they are currently in eighth place in the Premier League, 15 points off the top.

Grujic also revealed that his fellow Serb, Lazar Markovic—currently on loan from Liverpool at Fenerbahce—had a role to play in persuading him to join the Merseyside club, as did a phone call from manager Jurgen Klopp, per James Pearce in the Liverpool Echo.

The central midfielder was Klopp's first purchase as Anfield boss and Bleacher Report's Dean Jones believes he will be a decent long-term signing for the club:

Indeed, along with centre-back Joel Matip, he is part of the German's plans to redevelop the Reds squad, which will kick into a higher gear in the summer, per football writer Jack Lusby:

He certainly seems eager to prove himself at Liverpool, and this can only benefit the Reds in the future.

Elsewhere, Liverpool legend John Barnes believes Daniel Sturridge's return to fitness and form will dispel rumours of his potential summer departure from Anfield.

The England striker has started in both of Liverpool's most recent matches—scoring in the 6-0 drubbing of Aston Villa—but he was recently linked with a move away from the club because of his consistent fitness concerns, per Sam Wallace in the Telegraph. 

For Barnes, though, any talk of Sturridge's possible departure should now be moot as he is a key part of the setup, per Gray: "Sturridge was huge in Liverpool's 6-0 win over Villa and he scored and you can see how important he is. He's back in the Liverpool team and he seems to be fit. As long as we can keep him fit then I don't want to see Sturridge go. I don't think he wants to go and the club definitely don't want him to go."