Liverpool’s Stefan Bajcetic has suffered another injury setback, with the midfielder undergoing surgery to address an issue sustained at the end of the 2024/25 season.
The Spaniard played 33 games this campaign but was forced to sit out Las Palmas’ final two games due to a hamstring injury. He went under the knife last month to correct the issue, with orthopedic surgeon Dr.Lasse Lempainen posting a picture of the pair on Instagram after the procedure.
“Good luck for recovery Stefan Bajcetic,” he wrote," alongside a picture of himself and the crutch-using Liverpool youngster. It’s the latest in a series of setbacks for Bajcetic, who missed almost the entirety of the 2023/24 season due to a calf injury. An abductor issue also forced him to sit out the final 12 matches of the previous campaign.
The timing of his latest setback couldn’t be worse. Bajcetic got through the entire term without a major injury, only to pick up a problem that could derail his summer return to Liverpool.
The 20-year-old spent the first part of the season on loan at RB Salzburg but struggled for game time. He switched to Las Palmas in January and, although he was part of a side that suffered relegation, played an integral role in the side.
Bajcetic featured in 14 of the club’s 15 La Liga games after joining Las Palmas
Dr. Lasse Lempainen uploaded an image of himself and Stefan Bajcetic following his surgery
Dr. Lasse Lempainen uploaded an image of himself and Stefan Bajcetic following his surgery
It’s not clear what role Arne Slot had mapped out for the player this summer, but, like several youngsters, he was expected to be assessed by the Liverpool head coach in pre-season.
Wataru Endo, who has played a bit-part role under Slot, is the only natural holding midfielder at the club, with some speculation that Bajcetic could replace him in the squad if the Japan captain were to move on this summer. That now looks in doubt.
Bajcetic, who has two years remaining on his contract, played an important role for the Reds two seasons ago, featuring in eight consecutive league matches between January and March 2023.
Having joined the Reds from Celta Vigo in 2020, the Spanish youth international established himself in the first team and was highly regarded by Klopp.
Bajcetic has played 22 times for Liverpool, netting once in a 3-1 victory over Aston Villa on Boxing Day 2022.