20-year-old Liverpool Star to be Handed ‘Huge Opportunity’ by Arne Slot – Journalist | OneFootball

Stefan Bajcetic: Liverpool’s Forgotten Gem Set for Crucial Summer Audition

Liverpool loanee Stefan Bajcetic is turning heads in Spain with a string of composed, intelligent performances for Las Palmas — a far cry from his frustrating stint earlier in the season at Red Bull Salzburg, where he barely featured. According to Lewis Steele of the Daily Mail, the 20-year-old Spaniard is now getting “rave reviews in Spain from people who watch him every week for Las Palmas.”

That shift in fortunes has not gone unnoticed. Local journalist Manuel Garcia shared glowing praise last month: “He reminds me of Sergio Busquets, because of how he drives the ball and how he moves around the field.” For any young midfielder, such comparisons are significant. For Liverpool fans, they could prove mouth-watering.

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Arne Slot’s Long-Term Thinking

Following Jurgen Klopp’s departure, new manager Arne Slot has brought renewed energy and a tactical evolution that’s already borne fruit — with a sensational Premier League title secured in his first season. As part of his long-term squad planning, Slot had a clear vision for Bajcetic: loan him out, get him consistent game time, and assess his readiness for first-team involvement.

Steele reports: “Arne Slot was keen for him to get this year of experience under his belt and did plan for him to be part of the squad in the future if the season out on loan was a success.” While the season has been something of a mixed bag, the final stretch in Spain could tilt the balance in the youngster’s favour.

Pre-Season Pivotal to Bajcetic’s Liverpool Future

While it’s premature to declare the loan a triumph or failure, Bajcetic’s recent performances have likely bought him a chance to stake his claim in pre-season. Slot’s interest remains intact, and “as far as I am aware Bajcetic will be given a chance to prove himself on the pre-season tour,” according to the Mail’s piece.

That tour is expected to be a high-stakes proving ground and it’s a huge opportunity for the youngster. Liverpool’s midfield has evolved under Slot with greater technical fluidity and pressing coordination. Bajcetic, once considered a key future figure under Klopp, now has the task of convincing a new regime of his value. Steele rightly notes: “He is definitely not earmarked for a sale yet.”

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Not Just Potential – Real Progress

While fans might focus on standout youth academy graduates like Conor Bradley and Jarell Quansah, Bajcetic’s technical ceiling remains high. He has shown elite composure in tight spaces, positional discipline, and a mature sense of timing in his passing — all traits that bode well for a squad challenging on multiple fronts next season.

Slot’s midfield options are already well-stacked, but with European ambitions and domestic silverware on the agenda, a player like Bajcetic could be vital in maintaining squad depth without sacrificing quality.

Photo: IMAGO

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

Stefan Bajcetic could be one of the most exciting reintegrations into the Liverpool squad this summer. It’s no surprise that Las Palmas fans and Spanish pundits are drawing comparisons to Busquets — you can see it in the way he reads the game and dictates tempo. That’s not something you teach; it’s instinctive, and Bajcetic has it in spades.

With Arne Slot already delivering the title in his debut campaign, the atmosphere around the club is electric. Fans are dreaming again, and rightly so. Bringing Bajcetic back into the fold could feel like a new signing. He’s still only 20, and yet has tasted football in Austria and Spain — those experiences, while not always smooth, will have hardened him mentally.

Let’s not forget how good he looked when he broke through under Klopp before injuries hampered his progress. If he can stay fit and Slot gives him a platform, this could be a breakout year for him. And with a more possession-heavy system now in place, there’s arguably no better time for a Busquets-style midfielder to thrive.

Imagine a midfield trio of Bajcetic, Mac Allister and Szoboszlai rotating fluidly, with Bajcetic anchoring play. That’s not just depth — it’s a frighteningly intelligent midfield core.

The fans will back him. And if his recent form is anything to go by, the coaches will too. This pre-season might just be the beginning of something special for a young man who looks born to wear the Liverpool shirt.