Q&AStefan Bajcetic on breakthrough season, position switch and learning
Stefan Bajcetic knows his learning process at Liverpool is still very much in its infancy after a progressive 2022-23 campaign so far.
The 18-year-old featured heavily in pre-season for Jürgen Klopp's side and has gone on to make both his Premier League and Champions League debuts in recent months for the Reds.
Bajcetic was also handed a first competitive start in the Carabao Cup third-round penalty shootout victory over Derby County at Anfield last month.
Following his arrival from Celta Vigo in February 2021, it has been a rapid rise through the ranks for the Spain youth international.
He has enjoyed a switch in position from defence into midfield, with father Srdan – a former Serbia international who played for Celta Vigo, SC Braga and Red Star Belgrade among others – also able to lend an ear when required.
"My dad has been very important for me because he has been where I am now and played at a high level as a regular, so he helps me a lot," Bajcetic said recently.
"Because of his experiences, he knows how to handle tough situations. When you have a bad day, he knows how to deal with it, and I will often ask him about things.
"He always asks me about games and how I think I played and then he gives me his thoughts about the match and that's really helpful too."
Read on for more from the No.43…
On stepping up into senior training…
It's been good to train every day with the first team. Obviously you learn a lot and then to make the bench allows you to see first-hand how they play and gives you the experience of being in big stadiums. Then, as well, I've also been getting minutes with the U21s, which has been very good. I've been learning a lot.
On switching from centre-back into midfield…
I had always been a centre-back but sometimes I used to play a bit higher as well. But although I was usually a central defender, I was quite good at getting out with the ball and then Bridgey [Marc Bridge-Wilkinson] and Alex [Inglethorpe] thought it was a good idea to put me in midfield and I guess it has worked!
I'm naturally quite a defensive player and I like to defend but I also like to attack when I have the opportunity, so it means I have the chance to do both by playing in there. The impact of the staff at the Academy has been very big. With the move to midfield, Bridgey was aiding me a lot in terms of how to receive the ball, how to get myself oriented and know what's around me – and that has helped me a lot. Alex has always given me tips as well. I have always been learning from them and I still am.
On making his Premier League debut in the 9-0 win over Bournemouth…
I think it was the perfect moment for me to go in and make my debut. The atmosphere was very, very good. Obviously the big result helped but it was also a very important win as well as we needed to get our first league victory of the season. So yes, it was a perfect moment for me and I enjoyed it a lot.
On his Champions League debut at Anfield against AFC Ajax…
It was a proud moment for me and my family and it was a very important win for the team too, because it was a very equal game and then we had the late winner which made it a really special night. I came on for just a little time but at least I could say that I made my Champions League debut and at Anfield too!
Every kid dreams to play in the Champions League and obviously it's even better if it's with a club like Liverpool, which is one of the biggest in the world and one of the most successful in terms of the Champions League. So yes, it was a good night.
On getting more minutes in the reverse fixture with Ajax…
That was amazing. It's a very nice stadium and Ajax are a good club as well and it was a very good win. It was a really tough game but I enjoyed it a lot. It was my first game in a big stadium which wasn't Anfield with our fans, so it was more difficult in that sense, but it was a good experience.
On working with the coaching staff at Liverpool…
The manager and his staff have been amazing with me and the other younger players. I think they're quite close to us and are always speaking to us even though we are young. I think that always helps a lot and gives me a lot of confidence.
I just want to keep working hard to improve. If I get the opportunity to play with the first team, I will give my best and, if not, I will play with the U21s and try to develop. It's a learning process.
