Stefan Bajcetic was dubbed ’s “best player” by before sent him out on loan.

The 20-year-old starlet, who is with until next summer, enjoyed a sensational start to his career in the 2022/23 season, becoming one of the few bright spots in an otherwise torrid campaign for the Reds. Having spent time with the U21s following his move from Celta Vigo in 2020, and impressed in first team training, then-manager decided to throw the Spaniard into the deep end.

Bajcetic didn’t look back after coming on for his debut against as a 17-year-old, with the central-midfielder scoring a memorable goal at Aston Villa. He later delivered a stunning performance in the Merseyside Derby at Anfield, having already been named the club’s Player of the Month for January 2023.

Reds talisman Salah heaped high praise on the youngster following the win over , highlighting Bajcetic as Liverpool’s standout player that season. The Egyptian said post-match: “He's a great player and person, he always tries to work hard. Since he started playing for us, he has been our best player maybe, so hopefully he keeps that confidence and keeps going.”

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Bajcetic has since reflected on Salah’s comments, telling this week: “When Salah tells you these things you try not to get carried away. When Klopp or players of that calibre tell you these things, it gives you more confidence to go into training the next day and give more. You try to keep your feet on the ground and continue learning from the best.”

Unfortunately for the half-Serbian, his progress would be hampered by a season-ending injury that cut his debut campaign short, as well as affecting his playing time last season. Bajcetic says he used the opportunity to grow off the pitch, while Liverpool decided in the summer it would be best to send him out on loan so he could get back to fitness.

He joined Austrian giants RB Salzburg, where he was reunited with ex-Liverpool assistant coach Pep Lijnders, as new Reds boss Slot explained his hopes for Bajcetic in the future. Slot hinted that the youngster is not yet ready to land a place in the side, admitting he would not have started much this season ahead of the plethora of midfield options the Dutchman has at his disposal.

“I hope it will be a big year for him because he’s a very talented player and I think he could become a very important player for us, but only if he gets playing time now," Slot said.

“If you are that young and you’ve been out for so long, the only thing you need is playing time. He could have playing time over here, but we’ve got six or seven very good midfielders, so his playing time here will always be more limited than we expect him to play at Salzburg.

“So for him, and us, we think it’s best for him to play at the moment, instead of maybe playing a few times and then being on the bench for a long time again. It’s very difficult to keep a player fit who’s been out for 15 months when you only play him once in a while. Then for next season, we’ll have a player. If he fulfils his potential, [he] could definitely, definitely play for us in the future.”

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