Liverpool’s pre-season has seen a number of young players take centre stage and impress.
The likes of Harvey Elliot, Fabio Carvalho and Tyler Morton are well known to fans – but 17-year-old Stefan Bajcetic isn’t.
His half-hour performance in the 5-0 win over RB Leipzig has seen the young midfielder earn plenty of plaudits.
Now he’s got his eyes set on consolidating that form into the upcoming season – where he hopes to earn first-team minutes.
🔴 Stefan Bajčetić vs RB Leipzig:
➡️11/13 passes completed
💪3/4 defensive duels won
⚡️3 recoveries
❌2 interceptions
🧠 1 key passSolid 30 minute performance. 👏
As I wrote earlier this week he could set for a role in #LFC's first team in 22/23.https://t.co/aLE60lVcm6 pic.twitter.com/Tl6nH3h9Ms
— Bence Bocsák (@BenBocsak) July 22, 2022
Enjoying his time with the first-team
Speaking to Liverpool’s official website, the midfielder revealed how he’s enjoyed pre-season so far.
“It’s been very good. It’s a very good experience for young lads to play in Thailand and Singapore and travel with the team. It’s been good,” the Spaniard admitted.
“Everyone has been good with me. Luckily, I can speak Spanish as well, so I can speak with everyone really.
He added: “Obviously [my family and friends] are very happy and buzzing. They always try to watch the games and if there’s something on social media, they try to look at it. I’m very happy.”
Stefan Bajcetic is soaking up every minute of his #LFCPreSeason experience with Jürgen Klopp's first team 💪
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 23, 2022
Learning from Fabinho
Bajcetic has played in all three of the Reds’ warm-up games so far, impressing in a defensive-midfield role typically occupied by Fabinho.
Jordan Henderson and James Milner offer back-up in that role, but neither are a natural defensive midfielder unlike Bajcetic.
“It’s been good,” he said of operating in the holding role. “I always played centre-back growing up but now I think I’m capable of playing there. If they give me the opportunity, I will.
“To be honest, I don’t mind [where I play]. I just want to play football. If the staff and coach thinks I’m needed there, I will play there. Especially for this club, the way he [Fabinho] plays, I think, is the best, and I always try to look at him and learn from him.”
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