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Fabrizio Romano reveals Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp made the correct call over Stefan Bajcetic.
On Monday the Reds recorded their first Premier League win of 2023 with a comfortable 2-0 Merseyside derby victory over Everton at Anfield.
Mohamed Salah took advantage of goalkeeper Jordan Pickford's poor positioning to net Liverpool’s opener before £45million January signing Cody Gakpo tapped in Trent Alexander-Arnold's cross to claim his first Liverpool goal since moving from PSV Eindhoven.
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However, the stand-out performer for Klopp’s side on the night was 18-year-old Bajcetic.
The teenage Spaniard showed astonishing maturity in midfield through a comprehensive range of passing, a sure touch and a willingness to engage in Everton's physical challenges.
Romano on Bajcetic
The emergence of Bajcetic has been one of the few positives in a turgid season for Liverpool.
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Of course, while most teenagers are sent out on loan to gain first-team experience, Romano claimed Klopp was insistent that the Spain youth international stayed on Merseyside last summer.
Speaking to CaughtOffside via his Substack column Romano said: “Stefan Bajcetic was never close to leaving Liverpool on loan because Jurgen Klopp wanted to see him in the first team.
“Bajcetic was one of the most appreciated talents around Europe when Liverpool sent their scouts to watch him. Liverpool are very good with these kind of deals.”
Last month Klopp’s faith in Bajcetic was underlined when the youngster was rewarded with a new four-and-a-half-year contract on improved terms.
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On the midfielder’s rise through the ranks, Klopp said: “There was a door – I’m not even sure it was open – but he ran through it and he was really exceptional.”
Bajcetic joined Liverpool’s academy from Celta Vigo for a fee of just £220,000 in December 2020, while last August he was promoted to Jurgen Klopp’s first-team squad for the pre-season tour of Asia.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: Football, Transfers, Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp, Everton