Liverpool have made their first signing of the January transfer window.

The club have confirmed the capture of midfielder Marko Grujic from Red Star Belgrade for £5.1 million pounds, but the 19-year-old has been immediately loaned-back to the Serbian club for the rest of the season.

Grujic's father had been opposed to the transfer, even going as far as to confiscate his son's passport.

He had reasoned that: "His passport is with me, and I pronounce that Marko is not going anywhere. None of our younger (Serbian) players survived in the Premier League."

Grujic's father was subsequently involved in a car accident last month which left him with minor injuries.

Meanwhile, manager Jurgen Klopp has moved to add defensive cover amid a mounting injury crisis that sees Martin Skrtel, Mamadou Skaho and Dejan Lovren injured.

The Reds have asked Aston Villa if they can cancel a loan deal with Tiago Ilori which would allow the young Portuguese defender to return to Anfield.

Ilori has yet to make an appearance in the Premier League for struggling Villa.