Liverpool make firm decision on Stefan Bajcetic future as Reds insiders worry about Arne Slot suitability

Add as preferred source on Google

Liverpool supporters are still expecting their club to find and secure a new holding midfielder during the summer transfer window.

It was always unlikely that an arrival would come in January, but after the Reds tried to sign Martin Zubimendi last year, there is a feeling that a hole remains in the squad.

With Zubimendi still unlikely to join Liverpool, it remains to be seen exactly who Arne Slot could target as his first choice signing.

Some Reds fans would likely point out that Slot may already have the ideal player at his disposal: Stefan Bajcetic.

Bajcetic has had a nightmare couple of years with injury and is currently struggling to make his mark on-loan at RB Salzburg, though.

And after rumours that Bajcetic could return to Anfield in January, Liverpool have made a firm decision on where his future now lies.

Stefan Bajcetic set to stay at RB Salzburg

Things have not been smooth for Bajcetic in Salzburg.

The 20-year-old was always going to take a little time to get up to speed following his fitness problems, but having played just 18 times, there have been question marks over whether staying in Austria would be best for him.

Nevertheless, according to The Athletic, Liverpool have not changed their plan to keep Bajcetic with Salzburg until the end of the season.

There were rumours that Real Betis had approached the Reds over a second-half of the season loan to Spain, but these have reportedly been denied by sources from both clubs.

READ MORE: ‘Incredible’ Bundesliga player is emerging as Arne Slot’s ideal new midfielder for Liverpool

Instead, Bajcetic is said to be in it for the long haul with the Red Bull club and Liverpool are claimed to be happy with the level of football the Spaniard is currently playing.

On a slightly more ominous note, there are reportedly ‘some at Liverpool’ who view Bajcetic as being more suited to playing in a Jurgen Klopp team than in Slot’s current set-up. Nevertheless, the Spain U21 star will supposedly return to fight for his place at Anfield in 2025/26.

Bajcetic facing crucial six months

Rewind two years and few would have foreseen Bajcetic struggling out on-loan in so little time down the line.

The midfielder looked every inch a future Liverpool midfielder; dominating in a poor team and showing real maturity and class within his game. Klopp called Bajcetic ‘exceptional‘ and that barely scratched the surface.

However, you’re always only one bad injury away from ruin in football and unfortunately for Bajcetic, he has had several to contend with.

There is certainly still a future for Stefan at Liverpool, but how much football he plays in the remainder of this season and how he turns up for pre-season in the next are going to be crucial.

If staff at Liverpool do not change their mind on him, Bajcetic’s career with the Reds could easily end up fizzling out. Should he show what everyone can see he is capable of, though, and the pathway to the Liverpool starting XI is still there.