Football

Liverpool youngster wants ‘to be a regular’ in midfield after signing long-term deal

Liverpool youngster wants ‘to be a regular’ in midfield after signing long-term deal

Liverpool youngster Stefan Bajcetic wants “to be a regular” in the club’s midfield after committing his long-term future to the Reds.

The 18-year-old, who joined Liverpool from Celta Vigo in 2020, has been propelled into the first team perhaps quicker than anyone imagined due to the club’s ongoing midfield crisis.

The likes of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho have seemingly lost their touch in recent times, with Thiago the only regular name on the team sheet. Youngster Harvey Elliott has also featured heavily, while Curtis Jones and Naby Keita have been forced to settle for more minor roles amid injuries.

Veteran James Milner and the injury-prone Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are further midfield options for Jurgen Klopp, but the manager is reportedly eager to delve into the transfer market this summer to ease the situation.

But that situation has indeed now been slightly eased by Bajcetic signing a long-term contract at Anfield, with the teenager now a key member of the squad despite his youth.

Liverpool youngster wants ‘to be a regular’

Bajcetic joined the club’s academy in December 2020, but has been thrust into the first team this season, where he has made 10 appearances in all competitions. Three of those have come in the Champions League, with two coming in the FA Cup and one coming in the League Cup.

And the midfielder has lined out for the Reds in four Premier League matches this season, with the Spaniard netting his first goal for the club in the Boxing Day victory at Aston Villa.

He is now aiming for further progression, telling the Liverpool website: “My target is to be a regular here at Liverpool and keep winning trophies with this club and achieving things collectively basically.”

Liverpool

Midfielder reflects on Liverpool rise

Liverpool have been nowhere near their best this season, with the Reds sitting ninth in the league table with just eight wins from their 19 matches.

Fortunately for Klopp and his players, the Premier League takes a break this weekend as the fourth round of the FA Cup gets underway. But somewhat worryingly, the Reds face Premier League rivals Brighton, a team they lost 3-0 to earlier this month.

The Merseyside outfit have been stretched massively this season due to various injuries, with key players Virgil van Dijk, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz all currently sidelined.

Along with defence and attack, the manager’s midfield has also been under the spotlight, with the likes of Oxlade-Chamberlain and Keita expected to leave Anfield at the end of the campaign. With his long-term deal and the midfield crisis, Bajcetic now looks set to achieve his dream and become a regular under Klopp.

Reflecting on his rapid rise to the top, Bajcetic said: “It’s crazy. A year ago I was playing U18s football and now I’ve started some games, made my debut and even scored a goal – that was something I never expected to happen this year. It’s amazing to see how fast it went. But I keep working hard and hopefully [there are] more things to come.

He added: “Obviously I’m so, so happy, so excited to keep playing for this club and hopefully I can play more years together.”


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