Clearly unsatisfied with his options upon arriving at the club, Slot attempted to sign Martin Zubimendi last year.
Having failed to get a deal for Zubimendi over the line, Slot didn’t just go with what he already had, he even decided to ship young Stefan Bajcetic out on-loan.
Given the talent Bajcetic clearly possesses – and Liverpool’s apparant need for a midfielder in his mould – many were surprised at Slot’s decision.
Fast forward 12 months, and there is another decision to make over the 20-year-old. Do Liverpool now restore him to the first-team squad, or do they dip into the market for back-up to Ryan Gravenberch?
Judging by the reaction from Spanish journalists to Bajcetic’s performance for Las Palmas against Getafe on Saturday, Slot’s choice should be getting clearer.
Bajcetic has had a bit of a mixed season out on-loan. His first half of the season spell at RB Salzburg certainly proved Liverpool right that he was not ready to play once again for the Reds.
However, since pushing for a move to Las Palmas in January, Bajcetic has been reborn. The Spain U21 star has looked right at home in La Liga.
That continued on Saturday, with Bajcetic playing 90 minutes as the Canaries won for the first time since he joined the club. And according to the Spanish press, he was key to their 3-1 victory.
“Bajcetic could be a starting midfielder for any team in the League,” wrote journalist Javi Rolan.
“Superb performance by Stefan Bajcetic at the Coliseum,” agreed Diego Otero. “Back in midfield, he has shown his talent: vision, understanding of the game, and dedication.”
“Stefan Bajcetic should be a fixture at UD Las Palmas,” Jonay Amaro opined. “Physically, he’s a bull, even though we see him as a bit of a worm. Unafraid of collisions, he has the traits of a Premier League player. He’s very good on the ball, although he has room for improvement. He has judgment and maturity, despite his youth.”
Is Bajcetic ready for Liverpool return?
The case of Bajcetic will be one of the most interesting sagas at Liverpool during the summer.
Having broken through sensationally in the 2022/23 campaign, he has already shown beyond doubt that he has the talent to be in the Liverpool squad.
Accurate Passes Passes into Final Third Tackles Won Duels Won Aerial Duels Won
Stefan Bajcetic vs Getafe 41/55 12 2/4 6/11 1/1
However, he will likely to return to Anfield with the Reds as Premier League champions. The standards have gone up since the struggles of 22/23.
With all due respect to Las Palmas – who remain in La Liga’s relegation zone – playing for Liverpool is a whole different ball game to turning out for the Canaries.
Bajcetic has earned a look from Slot in pre-season at the very least, though and in our opinion he could well be the perfect rotational midfield option the boss is looking for.
He’s certainly doing his chances no harm with performances like this, that’s for sure.
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