Liverpool star suffers injury blow as Arne Slot's pre-season plans derailed
Arne Slot is creating his plans for Liverpool's pre-season programme as they bid to retain their Premier League title, but the Dutchman has been dealt an early blow
Liverpool star Stefan Bajcetic is facing a race against time to play a part in the Reds' pre-season programme. Bajcetic enjoyed a stunning rise into Liverpool's first-team over the course of the 2022/2023 campaign.
The midfielder beame the Reds' youngest-ever player in the Champions League when he replaced Thiago in a game against Ajax. He was then voted their player of the month for January 2023 after a string of impressive performances.
A calf injury severely disrupted his second season, with the Spaniard making just three senior appearances. In a bid to reinvigorate his career, Bajcetic was sent out on loan to Red Bull Salzburg, under former Jurgen Klopp assistant Pep Lijnders.
That move proved to be disastrous though, with Lijnders sacked and Salzburg cutting short Bajcetic's loan in January. That led to another loan move to Las Palmas, where he became a key player.
The 20-year-old made 14 appearances in total for the Canary Islanders, though was unable to save them from relegation to the Segunda División. Along with the disappointment of relegation, Bajcetic also missed their last two games.
That was due to a hamstring injury and the Spaniard has now suffered a further blow. Bajcetic has been forced to undergo surgery on the issue, which he picked up during Las Palmas' defeat to Sevilla on 15 May.
He has started his rehabilitation after going under the knife, but it remains to be seen if he will be fit enough to take part in pre-season. The 20-year-old would have been hoping to be able to fight for a place in Arne Slot's senior squad.
Reds boss Slot had been willing to give the academy graduate an opportunity if he was available. Those hopes have now been dashed though, with Bajcetic facing an uphill battle to return to full fitness.
The midfielder had been left desperately disappointed with the way his season played out. He penned an emotional message following Las Palmas' relegation from La Liga, insisting he believed they would soon be back.
"These are tough days for everyone, but especially for you fans, we have not been able to fulfill the goal of staying in the league you deserve," he wrote in a statement on Instagram.
"In four months I have realized the fans this club has and it hurts me a lot that you have failed. I'm sure you'll go back to where this club needs to be.
"I'll always be cheering as one more of you. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart for all the support and for being there always."
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