Porto coach Conceicao pushed about keeping Liverpool midfielder Grujic: Very happy | OneFootball

Porto coach Sergio Conceicao has hinted of hopes they can keep hold of Marko Grujic.

The on-loan Liverpool midfielder was outstanding for victory over Nacional on Sunday.

Grujic joined Porto in October on a straight loan for the season and after a slow start has established himself as a first-choice for Conceicao. The Serbia international has played 31 games for Porto this season, scoring once. And after shining for victory over Nacional, his coach was keen to talk up Grujic's contribution.

Quoted by O Jogo, Conceicao enthused: "Grujic is in excellent form and we have other quality midfielders, such as Sérgio Oliveira, Loum, Romário Baldé, Otávio and Fábio Vieira. He had his adaptation period and gave a very positive response in the last month, we are very happy with him."

On signing Grujic permanently, he added: "These are situations about preparing for the next season and, frankly, I'm not in the mood to answer in a real way.

"So I'm not going to say anything."

Grujic's contract with Liverpool runs to 2023, having joined the Reds in 2016 from Red Star Belgrade. Porto is the fourth club Grujic has played for on-loan since becoming a Liverpool player.

With Porto, the midfielder has helped the club to the Champions League quarterfinals, where they fell to Chelsea last week. Currently, the Portuguese giants sit six points behind Primeira Liga leaders Sporting CP, having won their last five games.

- updated April 20