Pundit Alan Shearer has claimed Liverpool youngster Stefan Bajcetic should not be starting for the Reds just yet.
Speaking on BBC 5 Live Sport yesterday, the Newcastle United legend suggested the 18-year-old isn’t ready to be a guaranteed starter in Jurgen Klopp’s favoured XI.
“You’re getting to Fabinho in the midfield, he can’t get around the midfield as he used to, Henderson also – he’s been unbelievable for Liverpool,” said Shearer.
“Then young Bajcetic, I think in reality he should be in and out of this Liverpool team.
“You look at him and think he’s their best midfielder at this moment, getting the ball, threading that pass, for an 18-year-old it’s a big ask for him to get in there against the superstars of that Real Madrid midfield.”
Shearer says Bajcetic shouldn’t start
Out of everyone playing for the Reds at the moment, Bajcetic has been one of Klopp’s most consistent performers.
He has shown incredible maturity coming into a poor Liverpool XI, demonstrating he is more than good enough to keep senior players on the bench.
Whilst it wasn’t the 18-year-old’s best appearance for the first-team, it’s not like he was overshadowed by any of his teammates in the middle of the park.
Becoming the youngster ever player to start for the Merseyside outfit in the Champions League yesterday, the likes of Henderson and Fabinho should have helped eased Bajcetic into the game.
Having been hailed as an ‘exceptional’ player by Klopp himself, the Spaniard certainly wasn’t Liverpool’s biggest problem last night.
Therefore, he should most definitely keep his place in the first-team.
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