Stefan Bajcetic is finally ready to launch his Anfield resurgence.
The 21-year-old midfielder has endured a nightmare couple of years, plagued by persistent fitness setbacks that completely halted his blistering early momentum. He has not kicked a competitive ball in any capacity for 13 months, and his last taste of first-team action for Liverpool came over two years ago.
For a player who looked like the future of Liverpool’s midfield during his breakthrough campaign in 2022, it has been a long, testing road back.
The long road back to the AXA
Bajcetic took to Instagram to provide a timely, behind-the-scenes glimpse of his rehabilitation at the AXA Training Centre. Captioning a video of his progress with a simple “Back on track,” the youngster confirmed he has resumed outdoor ball work alongside extensive gym sessions.
Sources close to the player indicate that Bajcetic expects to join full pre-season training from day one. This lines up perfectly with reports that he wants to prove his fitness to the new management staff immediately.
This summer represents a massive crossroads for the Spaniard. He enters the final year of his current contract, meaning he has no time to waste if he wants to secure his long-term future on Merseyside.
A disastrous loan spell at Las Palmas during the 2024/25 campaign ended prematurely when he required hamstring surgery, adding another layer of frustration to his development following a prior loan stint at RB Salzburg in 2024.
Iraola’s clean slate and a midfield shake-up
The arrival of fellow countryman Andoni Iraola at the Anfield helm offers Bajcetic a completely fresh start. Crucially, the midfielder qualifies as a homegrown player in the Premier League next season, which significantly boosts his chances of remaining part of the first-team squad rather than heading out on another temporary deal.
Iraola walks into a midfield in transition. Rumours continue to swirl around the futures of Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister, and Wataru Endo, all of whom face uncertain summers.
Furthermore, the new head coach must make a definitive decision on Harvey Elliott, who returns to the club after a difficult loan spell with Aston Villa amid concrete interest from RB Leipzig.
Nobody expects Bajcetic to walk straight into the starting XI. However, if his body holds up over the grueling summer schedule, he can easily play his way into Iraola’s matchday plans.
The Reds will already miss several key stars at the start of pre-season due to World Cup commitments and lingering injuries. While Hugo Ekitike (Achilles) and Conor Bradley (knee) remain out, centre-backs Jeremy Jacquet (shoulder) and Giovanni Leoni (ACL) both expect to receive the green light for day one. Bajcetic has a golden opportunity to catch the Spaniard eye.
ReadLiverpoolFC Verdict
We shouldn’t forget just how good Stefan Bajcetic looked when he first burst onto the scene in 2022. He possessed a rare ability to evade pressure, show composure in tight spaces, and progress the ball cleanly from a deep-lying position.
The successive injuries and disjointed loan spells at Salzburg and Las Palmas have undoubtedly stalled his growth, but talent doesn’t just vanish overnight.
With Iraola implementing a high-energy style, a technical, combative No. 6 like Bajcetic could become an incredibly useful asset. Given the potential departures of senior midfielders like Mac Allister or Endo, Liverpool actually need Bajcetic to fulfill his potential now more than ever. If he can stay fit, he saves FSG millions in the transfer market.
This pre-season is the biggest month of his professional life.
