Former Celta de Vigo midfielder Stefan Bajcetic burst onto the Liverpool first team scene last season. Originally a center back, he covered for Fabinho’s poor form with a composed performance as a defensive midfielder.
He made 11 appearances in the Premier League and four in the Champions League, but an injury sidelined him for the second half of the season.
The injury kept him out of the preseason as well, but he has recovered well from the injury and has been sitting on the bench since the second round match against Bournemouth.
The 18-year-old midfielder, who recently made his debut for Spain’s U-21 national team, revealed that his time out with injury was tough, but it was also a time to strengthen his physicality and take advantage of opportunities to develop off the pitch as well.
“Obviously any injury is tough,”
“The timing doesn’t matter if you’re playing or not – any injury is tough to take – but this one took quite long to recover from. It was tough but it was an opportunity as well to do stuff in the gym, get stronger and physically better. So I took that opportunity and now it is about working hard to get back playing.
“When I see the pictures of last season I think ‘wow, I did well!’. Since I went to pre-season with the first-team for the first time I’ve just progressively got more into the team. It didn’t feel that natural at first because I was playing with big, big players, but it was good and now I am striving to get back in.”
The official Liverpool matchday programme
Fabinho, his biggest rival, has left, but with the addition of Wataru Endo, Alexis Mac Allister, and Ryan Gravenberch, the competition for positions at the bottom of midfield has become even more intense.
Even talented young midfielders should have a hard time getting a chance to play, but they will get playing time, especially in cup competitions.
Inspired by the play of their seniors, will they be able to continue their rapid development this season and take over positions from their well-known rivals…?