The Rise of a Reds Prodigy
Liverpool's Stefan Bajcetic, a player once hailed as the club's finest by none other than Mohamed Salah, finds himself in a frustrating period of his career, waiting for his chance under new manager Arne Slot. The 21-year-old Spaniard, who has been sidelined with a serious hamstring injury since May, made a spectacular entrance into the first team before his progress was abruptly halted.
Salah's Stunning Endorsement
Bajcetic's breakthrough came during the challenging 2022/23 season, where he made 19 appearances and became a rare positive note for the Reds. His adaptability, being comfortable in both central midfield and centre-back roles, along with a technical prowess and composure that belied his youth, quickly won over supporters and analysts.
His impressive form earned him Liverpool's Player of the Month award in January 2023, prompting superstar teammate Mohamed Salah to offer extraordinary praise. "He's a great player and person, he always tries to work hard," Salah stated. "Since he started playing for us, he has been our best player maybe, so hopefully he keeps that confidence and keeps going."
Bajcetic later admitted the compliment was a massive confidence boost. "When Salah tells you these things you try not to get carried away," he reflected. "When Klopp or players of that calibre tell you these things, it gives you more confidence to go into training the next day and give more."
A Shift in Fortunes Under a New Regime
Despite being poised to become a first-team regular, the managerial change in 2024 altered his trajectory. The arrival of Arne Slot meant the goodwill Bajcetic had built under Jürgen Klopp was reset, forcing him to prove his worth all over again.
In search of consistent playing time, he embarked on a loan move to Red Bull Salzburg, reuniting with former Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders. After a promising stint in Austria, Liverpool recalled him in January and immediately arranged a second loan, this time to Spanish side Las Palmas for the rest of the campaign.
Explaining the move, Bajcetic described it as the "best option" for his growth, highlighting Las Palmas' strong track record with developing young talents. "Las Palmas is a team that plays good football and gives opportunities to players who come on loan," he said at his unveiling. "I hope there will be some for me too."
Tragically, his spell in Spain was cut short. In May, he suffered a hamstring injury that required surgery, ruling him out for months. As of October, Liverpool U21s manager Rob Page indicated the club still lacked a definite return date, suggesting the midfielder might not be back until 2026.
Long-Term Faith at Anfield
Despite this significant setback and having not yet featured for Slot, Bajcetic can take heart from the manager's stated long-term vision for him. Before the Salzburg loan, Slot expressed his belief in the youngster's potential. "I hope it will be a big year for him because he's a very talented player and I think he could become a very important player for us," the Dutchman said.
Slot elaborated, "It's a smart decision... to let him go somewhere, where he will hopefully play a lot of games. Then for next season, we'll have a player. If he fulfils his potential, [he] could definitely, definitely play for us in the future." This endorsement offers a glimmer of hope that the story of Salah's 'best player' at Liverpool is far from over.
