Liverpool youngster Stefan Bacjetic is set to make his long-awaited return to football after suffering a season-ending injury in March.
The 18-year-old was a bright spark in an otherwise dismal season for Liverpool in 2022/2023. He progressed from the youth academy to the first team, making 19 appearances in all competitions. The former Celta Vigo star caught the eye with a series of impressive performances, scoring his first senior goal in a 3-1 win over Aston Villa on Boxing Day 2022.
Bajcetic’s form even saw him replace the under-performing Fabinho before an injury to his captor ended his season.
The injury was so serious that the young midfielder also missed the entirety of Liverpool’s pre-season. Although he has since returned to the Reds squad, he has yet to play any minutes in the 2023/2024 season. However, Liverpool’s number 43 is set to return to action during the international break after being called up to the Spain Under-21 squad for the first time.
The Sant Denia side will face Malta (Friday September 8) and Scotland (Monday September 11) in the European Championship qualifiers and the coach appreciates Bajcetic’s versatility.
While the debate over Bajectic’s best position at Liverpool is largely about whether he’s more of a ‘number six’ or an ‘eight’, Denia believes he can even be used in defence.
“When he played in the lower tiers, he played as a centre-back,” Denia told AS. “I think he can offer us alternatives to this position. When Bajcetic recently spoke about his favorite role, he joked that if asked, he would also play in attack. I am happy to play anywhere. If the coach put me as a striker, I would.”
