CHICAGO, USA - Thursday, July 23, 2026: Liverpool's Stefan Bajcetic departs the team hotel in Chicago on day four of the club's pre-season tour of America. The team play friendly games in Nashville, New York and Chicago as they prepare for the start of the new 2026/27 Premier League season. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
CHICAGO, USA - Thursday, July 23, 2026: Liverpool's Stefan Bajcetic departs the team hotel in Chicago on day four of the club's pre-season tour of America. The team play friendly games in Nashville, New York and Chicago as they prepare for the start of the new 2026/27 Premier League season. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Stefan Bajcetic took a major step towards playing again for Liverpool, with the midfielder rejoining parts of team training in Chicago on Thursday.
Bajcetic has not played for Liverpool’s first team in over two years and has not featured at any level since undergoing hamstring surgery last May.
After more than a year on the sidelines, with various setbacks after an issue which ended his loan spell at Las Palmas early, the 21-year-old is finally nearing his return.
As Liverpool continue pre-season work with intense sessions in Chicago this week, Bajcetic was able to rejoin his team-mates on the outdoor pitch.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 23, 2026
He was involved in parts of team training, including work with the ball, after being given a warm welcome onto the pitch by the rest of the squad.
There remain high hopes for Bajcetic, who will turn 22 in October, and reports earlier this month claimed Andoni Iraola is a big admirer.
It is unclear whether the Spaniard can play in any of the warmup friendlies in the United States, but there appears a degree of confidence around his return to fitness.
In a post on Instagram, Bajcetic wrote the simple caption: “Paid off.”
That comes after an extensive rehabilitation programme which saw the midfielder come close to returning on a number of occasions before suffering setbacks.
Despite the change of coaching staff this summer, the majority of Liverpool’s fitness and medical team has been retained and the same focus will have been kept when it comes to Bajcetic.
Could Stefan Bajcetic still have a future at Liverpool?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's Stefan Bajcetic before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 24, 2026: Liverpool's Stefan Bajcetic before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
If Bajcetic – whose current contract expires in 2027 – is able to return and reclaim his place among the midfield ranks it would provide another exciting option for Iraola in a key area.
His time at Las Palmas showed he is capable of performing at a side in Europe’s top five leagues despite his fitness issues since breaking through at Liverpool – and that could lend itself to a squad role at Anfield.
As it stands there is no specialist backup for Ryan Gravenberch in the No. 6 position and Bajcetic could theoretically offer that if he is able to stay fit.
But there is still a big ‘if’ in that regard, and every caution should be taken when it comes to a player who captured the imagination of fans when first donning the No. 43 shirt under Jurgen Klopp.
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