Stefan Bajcetic was once regarded as Liverpool's brightest talent, but he hasn't played for the first team in two years after suffering injury setbacks and spending time out on loan
12:57, 28 May 2026
Stefan Bajcetic broke into Liverpool's first team under Jurgen Klopp
Stefan Bajcetic broke into Liverpool's first team under Jurgen Klopp(Image: Getty Images)
Three years ago, Stefan Bajcetic was the most exciting youngster at Anfield.
Now, it's unclear whether he'll ever play for Liverpool's first team again. The 21-year-old midfielder is about to enter the final 12 months of his contract, having missed the entire 2025/26 season through injury. His last first-team appearance for the Reds was two years ago, when he made a 25-minute cameo against Tottenham in the Premier League.
Bajcetic has become the forgotten man on Merseyside, but it hasn't always been this way. During the 2022/23 campaign, he broke into the starting XI, making 19 first-team appearances. Still a teenager, he seemed to be the future of Liverpool's midfield.
Jurgen Klopp was among those to praise Bajcetic. After the youngster came off the bench to score at Aston Villa and seal a 3-1 win in December 2022, the Reds boss said: "I think he showed what he can do.
"He is cheeky like hell, not worried about anything, just plays football and does it exceptionally well. He has a football player father, so the genes are there. The attitude and awareness are really big, and he is a big pleasure to work with."
In February 2023, Klopp spoke about Bajcetic again. He said: "So far, there were no signs we have to rest him, which is good for us.
Bajcetic has struggled with injuries in recent years
Bajcetic has struggled with injuries in recent years(Image: Getty Images)
"Stefan played exceptional and not because he is only 18; he just played exceptional. Top talent, super player. Played really good for us so far. Since he is with us, it is a pure joy to work with him."
That same month, Bajcetic was named Liverpool's Player of the Month and started a Champions League knockout match against Real Madrid, which ended in defeat. It seemed as if the midfielder's career was only heading in one direction: up.
But things started to go wrong in March 2023. Bajcetic, having recently signed a long-term contract at Liverpool, picked up an adductor injury, ruling him out for the rest of the season.
He then made just three first-team appearances during the 2023/24 season due to more muscle problems. The Reds tried to counter Bajcetic's injury record by sending him out on loan for the following campaign, first to Red Bull Salzburg, and then to Las Palmas.
The Spanish star got plenty of minutes under his belt, playing 33 first-team games across those two loan spells. But those minutes came at a cost; he picked up a serious hamstring injury in his final game for Las Palmas that required surgery.
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Bajcetic was forced to start the 2025/26 campaign in the treatment room and ended up spending the entire season there, despite having been expected to return at the beginning of the calendar year.
Now, Liverpool is hoping Bajcetic will be fit for preseason. It promises to be a huge one for the 21-year-old, who has just one year left to prove he can make the grade at Anfield after falling out of the limelight.
Bajcetic may have become Liverpool's forgotten man, but there's still time for him to turn things around.