Liverpool loan midfielder Marko Grujic has got himself embroiled in a kiss-gate fiasco as the Bundesliga kicks off again.
Hertha Berlin have taken Marko Grujic from Liverpool for a second season in a row and he’s been a key part of their team once more.
The Serbian played an important role in their 3-0 win over Hoffenheim, although he has since found himself in some hot water over what happened during the game.
Dedryck Boyata was pictured gripping Grujic’s face, with his mouth very close to the Liverpool man, in what appeared to be a kiss.
Under guidelines issued by the German Football League (DFL), this would be against protocol. They have been cautious to avoid players coming into too much contact as substitutes have been told to space themselves out and wear face masks.
We’re all watching with some anticipation as this is the form of football that could be coming to our shores if the Premier League decides to get things back underway.
Keeping distance from each other while playing a contact sport might seem like a bit of a juxtaposition, but it’s the rules that have been enforced by the governing bodies to keep the sport safe.
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Now Grujic and Boyata have found themselves in kiss-gate, and the defender took to Instagram because he felt the need to explain himself.
"“It wasn’t a kiss, neither a celebration,” said Boyata. “I apologise for putting my hands on @grujicmarko face. I was giving him instructions about a set-piece.“We must definitely be careful now that we play under this situation. We have to adapt our way to play or celebrate.”"
The Liverpool loan lad has now played 21 Bundesliga games this season, with three goals and one assist. This goes alongside the 20 starts he made in 2018/2019, where he generally impressed and managed to hit the back of the net five times.
Grujic will have hoped to force his way back into Jurgen Klopp’s side when this all ends, but he’ll face a massive challenge to do so with plenty of competition standing in his way.
Either way, Liverpool should be able to make a profit on the Serbian, who was Klopp’s first signing at the club.