Stefan Bajcetic is preparing for the biggest game of his fledgling career to date as Liverpool lock horns with Real Madrid on Tuesday night in a rematch of last year’s Champions League final.
The 18-year-old has taken advantage of the Reds’ midfield struggles to establish himself as first-choice under Jurgen Klopp in recent weeks. Starting all of Liverpool’s last six matches, the young Spaniard will be hoping to retain his place against his homeland’s biggest side.
Boasting 14 appearances for the Reds so far this season, Bajcetic made three substitute appearances during the Champions League group-stages but Tuesday night’s clash at Anfield could see him handed his first European start. One of four players replaced in the 59th minute of Liverpool’s 2-0 win away at Newcastle on Saturday, it would suggest Klopp indeed had one eye on this clash with the La Liga giants.
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If selected, it will be the latest landmark for the teenager as his astonishing rise continues. He only moved to Anfield little over two years ago, after all, joining from Celta Vigo in a £224k deal when just a 16-year-old centre-back, with his transformation into a midfielder only coming under the watchful eye of the Reds’ academy.
Yet Liverpool nearly passed on signing Bajcetic altogether according to the player’s father, former Celta Vigo midfielder Srdan Bajcetic, only to U-turn after hearing Manchester United were in for the Spaniard. A deal was then quickly concluded as he became the club's last signing before the new Brexit transfer rules for Under-18s were implemented.
“Celta does not have the financial power to make professional contracts at that age,” he told El Mundo, quoted by Sport Witness. “Sometimes they run away. So that they do not escape, they must be put in the first team and the youngsters are represented.
“Some scouts from Liverpool saw him and contacted us. “But Stefan was still a child, not even 16 years old. He couldn’t go anywhere.
“At first, Liverpool told us that they couldn’t do it and then United called us, that they could. Liverpool found out and contacted us again to sign him.”
Bajcetic’s rise at Liverpool saw him rewarded with a new long-term contract last month, while his form has not gone unnoticed with reports in Spain claiming he is in contention for a senior international call-up.
While Bajcetic senior admits his son was fortunate to be given his initial opportunity, he shared his pride at the 18-year-old’s progress at Liverpool and has revealed what he has told the young Spaniard as he backed him to keep on improving.
“He was lucky and he took advantage of an unexpected opportunity,” he said. “It fills me with pride, of course, and we hope it continues like this.
“I see him well, focused and realistic, aware that he has to push to continue there. If I see that he is confused, I will tell him something, because the difference between a top player and a good player is the head and the mentality.
“And now he is more serious, he sees things and football differently. He almost thinks more like an Englishman.”
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