Liverpool teenager Stefan Bajcetic admits his rapid rise into Jurgen Klopp’s first staff has stunned even him.
The 18-year-old made his first Premier League begin in final weekend’s goalless draw at dwelling to Chelsea in solely his tenth look.
He made his debut as a Seventieth-minute substitute in August’s 9-0 win over Bournemouth and his first Champions League outing a fortnight later earlier than returning to the Under-23s for a few EFL Trophy video games, whereas nonetheless remaining in and round Klopp’s squad.
He scored at Aston Villa on Boxing Day and having impressed in final week’s FA Cup third-round replay at Wolves was retained within the staff for Chelsea, with Klopp eager to inject extra power right into a midfield which has appeared lacklustre all season.
“I’m a little bit surprised to be fair. Last season I was playing Under-18s,” Bajcetic mentioned.
“But I’ve tried to improve and tried to impress here, and if I get an opportunity, I try to take it.
“It (starting against Chelsea) gives me massive confidence. I’ve been training hard and trying to improve throughout the whole season.
“I’m just trying to get the opportunities and when I get them, play good.”
Despite his age, Bajcetic clearly retains the religion of Klopp and appears more likely to begin once more this weekend at Brighton within the FA Cup as Liverpool return to the scene of what the supervisor referred to as the worst efficiency of his managerial profession earlier this month.
Klopp has praised the “massive steps” {the teenager} has made and admitted it will have been unfair to go away him out for greater names like Fabinho and Jordan Henderson after his show at Wolves.
“He always tells me to do what I do in training, (but) in training you are more confident because you are not in front of 60,000 people,” Bajcetic added.
“It sounds small but it makes a difference to tell me that.”
The teenager has additionally been studying the ropes from the vastly-experienced Thiago Alcantara, presenting a pleasant symmetry because the pair’s fathers as soon as performed alongside one another at Celta Vigo – the membership from which Spaniard Bajcetic joined Liverpool in December 2020, initially as a centre-back.
“He makes everything a bit easier,” Bajcetic mentioned. “He talks to me a lot, in Spanish as well. He gives me confidence and is always trying to help me. I am very thankful to him for that.”
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