Injury-plagued Bajcetic returns early to Liverpool training to stake his claim under Iraola

Stefan Bajcetic has returned to pre-season training at Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre ahead of schedule, handing new head coach Andoni Iraola an unexpected boost as the Spaniard looks to rebuild his Liverpool career after a torrid run of injuries.

The 21-year-old midfielder posted pictures of himself working through a bespoke programme at the facility on Saturday, captioning the images simply: “Back on track.” His last appearance for the club came as a late substitute in a 4-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur in May 2024 under Jurgen Klopp — his only outing of that campaign — while his most recent Premier League start dates back to March 2023, when he was forced off during a 1-0 defeat at Bournemouth just as his career appeared to be gaining genuine momentum.

That afternoon at the Vitality Stadium proved pivotal in the worst possible way. An adductor tear sustained in that match has since restricted Bajcetic to just 22 senior appearances for Liverpool across more than three years, with loan spells at Red Bull Salzburg and Las Palmas producing mixed results as he worked to regain full fitness.

Iraola, who has described his entire inherited squad as akin to “new signings” given his unfamiliarity with the group, arrives at Anfield with several key players unavailable during the club’s pre-season tour of the United States due to World Cup commitments. That context makes Bajcetic’s early return particularly timely, offering the new manager a chance to assess a player he has yet to work with in a competitive environment.

Bajcetic first caught the eye during the second half of the 2022/23 season, when a midfield injury crisis under Klopp thrust him into the first team. Composed performances in high-profile fixtures — including the Merseyside derby and a trip to Newcastle United — suggested a player with the technical quality and temperament to thrive at the top level. His ability to retain possession under pressure and contribute from deep midfield drew widespread praise before the Bournemouth injury derailed everything.

Originally recruited as a centre-back for Liverpool’s academy setup at the age of 16, Bajcetic has since reinvented himself as a central midfielder. Now, with a new manager in place and a clean slate on offer, the Spain youth international faces arguably the most important pre-season of his career.