It's been a torrid campaign for Liverpool, who have been blighted by numerous midfield issues this term. But they have, at least, found solace in the emergence of Stefan Bajcetic.
Bajcetic, 18, arrived on Merseyside for a nominal sum of £224,000 from Celta Vigo as a centre-back in December 2020; just over two years on, he has breathed new life into the Reds' faltering engine room and has already earned plenty of plaudits after progressing into the senior ranks.
The Spanish teenager has featured five times for the Reds since the domestic campaign resumed following the World Cup and, in doing so, has left a lasting impression on both Jurgen Klopp and the Anfield faithful.
Already, Bajcetic's rapid rise has led to rumblings that the Reds are keen to tie him down to a new long-term deal: The Daily Mail claim that Klopp sees the former centre-back as a 'big part' of the club's future plans and that is an expectation he will be rewarded with improved terms following his first-team breakthrough.
The youngster has now lifted the lid on the impressive transition that has seen him muscle his way into an area of the team that has been dominated by the likes of Thiago Alcantara, Fabinho and Jordan Henderson - and how training alongside players of that ilk everyday has helped to accelerate his development.
He told The Liverpool Echo : "They [his midfield team-mates] are top, top players. I know how good they are. I learn a lot from them. To feel like I get an opportunity in this team, it gives me massive confidence. It’s amazing.
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“It’s been difficult at times, at the beginning. Obviously when you are a centre-back you see all of the pitch but when you are a midfielder, you have people in behind. That was tough at first but the coaches in the academy have been teaching me very well. I tried to improve and I’m still improving."
But it's Thiago in particular who Bajcetic credits with helping him adjust to life in the senior ranks at Anfield. Like the teenager, Thiago is also Spanish and Bajcetic details how the former Bayern Munich playmaker often speaks to him in their native tongue and is "always" doing what he can to encourage his young protege.
Bajcetic added: "He [Thiago] makes everything a bit easier. He talks to me a lot, in Spanish as well. He gives me confidence and is always trying to help me.
"It’s always easier to play alongside him. Both [his experience and speaking Spanish helps]. He’s a leader in the team, he’s one of the leaders and as well he speaks Spanish! We are from similar cities and from the beginning he has been helping me out. I am very thankful to him for that."
