Stefan Bajcetic‘s hopes of featuring for Liverpool’s first team this season have taken a blow with the midfielder suffering a setback with his hamstring injury.
There were plans to reintegrate Bajcetic at the tail end of last year, with the Spaniard working regularly beside the senior squad and a roadmap for minutes in the U21s.
But the chances of seeing Liverpool’s No. 43 on the pitch in the Premier League or Champions League this season are slim after a setback in his recovery from hamstring surgery.
Bajcetic underwent an operation on his hamstring in May, ending his loan spell with Las Palmas early, and The Athletic‘s Gregg Evans reports this was seen as a “fresh start.”
After being spotted running outdoors at the AXA Training Centre towards the start of the season, the 21-year-old is now following a new rehabilitation programme.
Stefan Bajcetic injury update: When will the Liverpool midfielder return?
Current status: Stefan Bajcetic (21) is following a new rehabilitation programme following a hamstring surgery setback in early January 2026. Reports indicate he is unlikely to be available for first-team selection until February 2026 at the earliest, with initial minutes expected at U21 level.
Category Details
Injury Type Hamstring (Fresh setback post-surgery)
Last Senior Start September 2023
Earliest Return Date February 2026
Loan Status Blocked for January (Injury)
Interested Clubs Valencia, Real Betis, Rayo Vallecano
* Data verified as of Jan 7, 2026 via The Athletic & LFCHistory.
It is explained that any minutes between now and the end of the season are more likely to come with the U21s, with Bajcetic not expected back until at least February.
Why is Stefan Bajcetic still injured and what happens next?
PITTSBURGH - Tuesday, July 23, 2024: Liverpool's Stefan Bajcetic returns to the team hotel after the team's second training session of the day on day one of the club's pre-season tour of the USA. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
That means Liverpool are unlikely to entertain loan offers in January and there are serious doubts over the player’s long-term future.
Bajcetic’s last game for the club was in May 2024 – that being his first senior outing in over seven months – and his last start was in September 2023.
He played 33 times during loans with Red Bull Salzburg and Las Palmas last season but those appear to have been a false dawn.
The “red zone” stats: Between January 17 and February 21, 2023, Stefan Bajcetic started seven consecutive games for Liverpool in all competitions. This gruelling run – featuring the Merseyside derby, an away trip to Newcastle, and a Champions League clash with Real Madrid – saw the 18-year-old play over 530 minutes in just 35 days, a workload that immediately preceded his long-term injury struggles.
It is now almost three years since Bajcetic’s extended run in the side under Jurgen Klopp, with there obvious concerns that seven consecutive starts for an undeveloped 18-year-old caused this ongoing issue.
Liverpool are understandably yet to decide on the youngster’s future, but a number of Spanish clubs have been credited with an interest if he is allowed to leave in the summer.
2SBMFBB Girona, Spain. 04th Feb, 2025. Stefan Bajcetic of UD Las Palmas during the La Liga EA Sports match between Girona FC and UD Las Palmas played at Montilivi Stadium on February 3, 2025 in Girona, Spain. (Photo by Bagu Blanco/PRESSINPHOTO) Credit: Sipa US/Alamy Live News
Valencia, Real Betis and Rayo Vallecano were among those linked with Bajcetic ahead of the current campaign.
This latest injury is a bitter blow since there are clear vacancies in Arne Slot‘s midfield, particularly with injury to Wataru Endo and both Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz being required elsewhere.
With the FA Cup third-round tie at Barnsley coming up on Monday night that could have been a feasible opportunity to enter into the side had Bajcetic’s recovery gone to plan.
Now he will instead watch on as the likes of Trey Nyoni and perhaps even Tommy Pilling are called upon at Anfield.
The Big Debate
Does Stefan Bajcetic still have a long-term future at Anfield?
With Stefan Bajcetic’s last start for Liverpool coming nearly 850 days ago, there are growing fears that his physical issues may prevent him from ever returning to his 2023 peak. As Spanish clubs circle for a summer transfer, should Liverpool look to cut ties, or should the club remain patient with the 21-year-old’s recovery?
Have your say: Is it time to worry about Bajcetic’s future, or can he still solve Slot’s midfield depth issues? Let us know in the comments.