Liverpool legend and pundit Phil Thompson has praised teenage sensation Stefan Bajcetic for his exceptional performances in pre-season.
The Spaniard joined Liverpool in February 2021 from Celta Vigo, with the Reds beating Manchester United to his signature.
Born in 2004, Bajcetic made his under-18s debut for the Merseyside club before he was 16, and is a second-year scholar in the Reds academy.
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Bajcetic’s father is Srđan Bajčetić, the former Serbia international midfielder who featured for Celta Vigo, Red Star Belgrade and Braga amongst others in his career.
The youngster performed well in his cameo against RB Leipzig, playing in the role usually occupied by Fabinho, and European Cup winner Thompson was very impressed.
Speaking to LFC TV, Thompson said: “Bajcetic is playing like a holding [midfield] role and he's getting the ball off the centre-backs under pressure but turning it around into the space.
“He's having the confidence to play it forward rather than get the ball to feet and playing it back.
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“Bajcetic comes on, he's turning the ball around and is cutting about three or four players of theirs out of the game with one pass because he has the confidence and ability.
“It comes from the academy, it comes from the teaching, how you do it, yes you've got to be safe with the ball in certain areas but be aware of what's around you.
“You can bet your life that Bajcetic has gone: ‘I know someone is free on its way’ so has just turned it around into the space.”
Bajcetic is the latest in what seems like a conveyor belt of talent coming from the colloquially known ‘La Axa’, or the Axa Training Centre which homes the academy in Kirkby.
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He will look to feature more for the Under-23 side this campaign, with a potential view to playing in the Reds’ midfield in the early rounds of cup competitions next season.
At 17, his potential is truly sky-high, and with the endorsement of a European Cup-winning captain, it would have to give him confidence.
Topics: Liverpool
Chris Stonadge