Stefan Bajcetic is nearing his first appearance since undergoing hamstring surgery in May, with plans in place to manage the Liverpool midfielder’s return.
Bajcetic required surgery to correct a hamstring issue picked up while on loan at Las Palmas last season, which meant he could not take part in pre-season.
But the Spaniard, who stayed at Anfield beyond deadline day, has recently resumed individual training outdoors at the AXA Training Centre.
While he is yet to be fully reintegrated to first-team training, all being well the 20-year-old will not be far off joining his Liverpool teammates for sessions.
As he works his way back to full fitness, Bajcetic is expected to build up his minutes with the U21s in the weeks to come.
The Mail‘s Lewis Steele reports that Arne Slot was eager to retain his No. 43 despite a number of clubs being interested – including Celta Vigo, who sold him to Liverpool for just £224,000 in 2020.
Given the competition for places in Slot’s midfield and the hectic schedule, it is no surprise that – as he is eligible – Bajcetic could instead pick up game time with the U21s.
Rob Page’s young Reds do not play again until September 21, when they host Man United, but that could provide a useful opportunity for the young midfielder.
Bajcetic will turn 21 next month and therefore does not qualify for the U19s’ UEFA Youth League, but he can be registered for the Champions League as part of List B.
Liverpool can afford to take caution as he is still a young player and Slot’s midfield is well-stocked – despite a new injury to Curtis Jones.
Slot’s comments on Alexander Isak‘s integration could be telling when it comes to the likely approach with Bajcetic, who like the striker has not had a “proper pre-season.”
“He missed a proper pre-season, I think he missed three or four months of team sessions, and so now we have to build him up gradually,” Slot said of Isak.
“With us playing so many games, hardly any training time, that’s going to be a challenge.
“But we’ve sign him not only for the upcoming weeks, we’ve signed him for six years.
“This is what we have to keep in mind and what the fans have to keep in mind if they see me taking him off at a certain moment, or if I only bring him in for a small amount of minutes.
“That’s all for the long-term fitness of the player.”