Arne Slot looks like he may have finally begun to find the solution for Liverpool’s nightmare season.
Having been heavily beaten in their previous two, the Reds are now without defeat in their past four Premier League games and have back-to-back wins in all competitions.
The better form has coincided with a switch in tactical approach from Slot, as he looks to flood the midfield and go with a 4-4-2 diamond formation.
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This has so far worked a treat, bringing the best out of Curtis Jones while getting four technically gifted and robust midfielders on the pitch at the same time.
While that is excellent news for Jones, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister, it does very much highlight that Slot has nothing left in reserve should anything happen to his starting quartet. Having been effectively forgotten at Liverpool over the past 18 months, that is where Stefan Bajcetic could once again come in.
Stefan Bajcetic has a role to play at Liverpool
Slot’s fifth midfielder is Wataru Endo, but there are currently two problems with the Japan captain.
Firstly, he has picked up an injury and is seemingly set to miss several weeks. Secondly, he is a completely different profile of midfielder. He would not necessarily fit the roles on offer at the moment.
Liverpool midfielder Stefan Bajcetic in action during the pre-season friendly against Sevilla at Anfield.
Photo by Ryan Crockett/DeFodi Images via Getty Images
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Bajcetic very much would. It is easy to see how the silky Spaniard could slot into one of the two deeper-lying positions, dovetailing with either Gravenberch or Jones.
With four midfield positions now on offer instead of the usual three, there are better chances of Bajcetic being given a look-in once he returns from injury.
The latest update on the 21-year-old’s fitness came in October, when there were claims that Bajcetic is back on the grass undergoing individual sessions.
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He is expected to play for the U21s initially to regain some match fitness, but if Slot keeps this formation, he should be back in the first team picture and helping Liverpool’s cause in no time at all.
Is Bajcetic in Arne Slot’s plans?
The one question mark over whether Bajcetic will re-emerge at Liverpool following his injury is if he is still at the standard he previously was.
Last season was a strange one for the Spain U21 international. After disappointing at RB Salzburg he went on to star in La Liga for Las Palmas.
Despite his best attempts, however, the Canary Island club were relegated, and it is hard to know exactly the level of player he was starring alongside.
Slot was positive about Bajcetic when sending him away on loan in August 2024, but that was long ago, and there is a chance the youngster has simply spent too much time away.
If the Liverpool head coach is minded to bring Bajcetic back into the fold, though, the Reds’ new-look midfield should give him every chance of reminding everyone just how good he is.
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