Liverpool received a big boost when the midfielder returned injured
Stefan Bajcetic has returned to competitive action in the Spain Under-21s
The 18-year-old came off the bench after the 6-0 win against Malta and played as a central defender
Liverpool will be boosted by his return to form after injury
Bajcetic hasn’t played for Liverpool/Visionhaus/GettyImages since March
Liverpool have been strengthened by Stefan Bajcetic’s return to competitive action.
The highly regarded defensive midfielder came off the bench for the final 25 minutes of Spain Under-21s’ 6-0 win over Malta in their European Championship qualifiers on Friday night.
Bajcetic, who turns 19 in October, has had a breakthrough season for Liverpool in 2022/23, despite some of the team’s older midfielders struggling.
His campaign was cut short in March after suffering a torn adductor muscle, and he has only recently returned to Liverpool’s matchday squads.
Bajcetic was an unused substitute for the Reds’ last three games before the internationals in September.
Interestingly, Bajcetic’s return to Spain came in an unfamiliar role, with him playing the latter stages of the victory at centre-back.
In a recent interview published in Liverpool’s match programme, Bajcetic underlined that he is willing to play in any position asked of him by the manager.
“At a club like Liverpool you always have to fight for your position,” said Bajcetic. “It’s never guaranteed.
“Anyone can play in any position, but I know that if I do my job and push as hard as I can, I will have more opportunities to play, and maybe not just at six. Last season I played a bit in left midfield and I adapt to what the coach says.
“I’m happy to play anywhere. If the coach put me as a striker, I would.”
Apart from Bajcetic, Liverpool currently have only one other natural midfielder in their selection: Wataru Endo.
However, Jurgen Klopp has opted to use newcomer Alexis Mac Allister in a deeper role this season.
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