Liverpool start "unbelievable" 18-year-old against AC Milan, he's set for a bright future

Liverpool starlet Stefan Bajcetic has been handed a start by Jurgen Klopp for the Reds' friendly against AC Milan this afternoon.

Klopp's side are taking on AC Milan in their second and final match of the Dubai Super Cup, having lost 3-1 to Lyon on Sunday.

The Reds are starting to welcome back their World Cup stars, with Darwin Nunez on Liverpool's bench. Uruguay were knocked out of the group stage of the tournament.

They are still without Ibrahima Konate, however, who is with France ahead of the World Cup final. Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Alisson are also not yet back involved, having been eliminated at the quarter-final stage.

Fabinho's absence, in particular, has been a strong aid to Bajcetic who, at 18 years of age, has already earned plenty of plaudits from Klopp.

Bajcetic set to start for Liverpool vs AC Milan

Bajcetic is part of a strong Liverpool team to take on AC Milan, with Mohamed Salah, Thiago, Roberto Firmino and Andrew Robertson among the first team stars included.

Joel Matip is also involved from the start as he continues his recovery from injury, alongside Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Speaking in August, the same month that Bajcetic made his senior Premier League debut for the club against Bournemouth, Klopp called the Spanish youth international's progress 'unbelievable'.

Also referring to Bobby Clark, who was also 17 at the time, he said (quotes via This is Anfield): "I'm not sure if they would be that close to the first team already at 17 years old if we would have them all available, and then now they make real steps.

"It's unbelievable, every day in training. So that's good."

Earlier this month, during the Dubai training camp, Klopp also praised Bajcetic, Clark and fellow youngsters Calvin Ramsay and Ben Doak, who have all been part of the Reds squad.

He explained: "They did incredibly well. Stefan did incredibly well. So many really showed up to be 100 per cent honest, and others still have to adapt.

"Young Calvin had no pre-season with us, now this is his first pre-season. He was long out, very important for him to get to know everybody and all these things.

"Ben Doak looks really promising, now he's here with us ... Bobby Clark, really interesting player. Obviously here with us, like the others as well.

"But they showed already, 'Ok, looks good, have them here'. Then all the other boys, have them here. It's important."