Liverpool's inconsistent 2022/23 campaign has been short on positives for Jurgen Klopp and the Reds face a battle to secure a top four Premier League finish in the remaining weeks of the campaign.
Early exits from the FA Cup and Carabao Cups ended their defence of both titles from last season with a huge Round of 16 Champions League clash against Real Madrid on the horizon.
Klopp has voiced his frustration at the current picture at Anfield, as he looks to weather a storm of poor form and injuries, and ensure a strong end to 2022/23.
However, despite the negativity at the start of 2023, the rise of teenage star Stefan Bajcetic has been a bright note for Klopp, with the 18-year-old seizing his chance to impress.
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Stefan Bajcetic career path
Bajcetic's rise into the Liverpool first team has been rapid during the recent 12 months after only joining the Premier League giants in December 2020.
The Galician-born midfielder came through the youth ranks at boyhood club Celta Vigo from 2013 to 2020, before the Reds were alerted to his progress in 2019, and opted to make a move.
After continuing to progress through the Liverpool Under-21 team, Bajcetic was brought into first team training at the back end of the 2021/22 season, and included in a string of matchday squads in the Premier League.
Klopp namechecked him in pre-season training ahead of the 2022/23 season, with a new contract confirmed in August, as part of the club's long-term plan for the player.
With Liverpool's midfield undergoing a process of rebuilding this season, Klopp wanted to utilise Bajcetic as a rotating option, alongside Thiago Alcantara and Fabinho, with his debut coming off the bench in the 9-0 Premier League hammering of Bournemouth in August.
His goal in the 3-1 Boxing Day 2022 win at Aston Villa opened his account for Liverpool, as the club's third youngest Premier League goal scorer, before making his first league start against Chelsea on January. 21.
Composure level 💯
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 26, 2022
Just two minutes after his introduction, a moment Stefan Bajcetic will never forget ❤️ pic.twitter.com/UOK9VGs7lq
Klopp's unerring faith in the teenager persuaded the club to renegotiate his contract last month, with an extended deal until 2027, reflecting his status as a first-team player.
His impressive calmness in midfield has secured his spot in Klopp's midfield, with four successive starts since the Chelsea draw, as the only midfielder to do so.
Stefan Bajcetic statistics
Bajcetic has been hailed for his composure and maturity in the Liverpool engine room with Mo Salah singling him out for praise during a Man of the Match display in the 2-0 Premier League derby win over Everton in February 2023.
His humble post-match interview drew social media love for the young Spaniard, with an all-action display against a robust Everton midfield, as part of his most complete performance so far.
🗣 "He's Mo Salah, probably one of the best players like ever."
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) February 13, 2023
Stefan Bajčetić grateful for the compliments by Mo Salah pic.twitter.com/Lyn5MjM764
Stefan Bajcetic‘s game by numbers vs. Everton:
— Squawka (@Squawka) February 13, 2023
50 touches
5 duels won
5x possession won
3 accurate long balls
2 chances created
2 tackles
1 shot on target
0 fouls committed
Just 18-years-old. ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/dgwxZHHlfv
Those numbers indicate his role in harassing and winning possession for Liverpool on that February night at Anfield, as no player attempted more tackles in the derby, without overstepping the mark and committing damaging fouls.
Stefan Bajcetic's famous father
Bajcetic's impressive start to life at Anfield continues the family path of professional footballers in the footsteps of his father Srđan.
The senior Bajcetic joined Celta Vigo in 1994, from Serbian side Vojvodina, and spent three seasons at the club before moving to Braga in Portugal, and then returning to Serbia, at Red Star Belgrade.
The former Celta midfielder opted to return to Galicia in 2004, after wrapping up his playing career in China, with Stefan born later that year.
However, the father-son links runs deep, with Srđan teaming up with Thiago Alcantara's father, Mazinho, in the 1996/97 season in Vigo.
I love how Thiago’s dad played with Stefan Bajcetic’s dad at Celta pic.twitter.com/CowaLsF0b0
— The Anfield Wrap (@TheAnfieldWrap) December 27, 2022
That connection was carried on to the sons, albeit over a decade apart, as Thiago played for local side FC Ureca during his time living in Galicia, before moving to Kelme, when his father signed for Valencia.
FC Ureca was remoulded as ED Val Minor Nigran in the early 2010's, as a feeder side to Celta, with a young Bajcetic joining their ranks as a nine-year-old.
Does Stefan Bajcetic play for Spain?
Bajcetic's explosion into the Liverpool team this season has opened up the question of his plans for an international career due to his ability to represent Spain and Serbia.
La Roja are keen to tie Bajcetic down as a future option, as part of a conveyor belt of midfield talent including Barcelona duo Pedri and Gavi. Bajcetic made his Under-18 debut for Spain in 2021.
Despite the potential of switching allegiance to Serbia, via his father's roots, Bajcetic looks set to stick with Spain and could be called up for this summer's U21 European Championships.
However, if his eye-catching progress continues at Anfield, new Spain boss Luis de la Fuente could fast track him into the senior squad, as Luis Enrique did with Gavi for the 2022 World Cup.
