In Focus: Bajcetic emerges as potential Kop idol despite woes

Stefan Bajcetic's sudden breakthrough has been a welcome sight for Liverpool fans. 

The 18-year-old midfielder has burst onto the scene this season, immediately impressing in a struggling Reds side. 

Jurgen Klopp's Merseysiders sit a disappointing eighth ahead of Gameweek 25 and are on the brink of a Champions League exit after this week's humiliation by Real Madrid — but Bajcetic's integration has coincided with an upturn in form. 

Ahead of Liverpool's clash with Crystal Palace, we take a look at how important the teenager could be as the German looks to rebuild his side.

Stefan's ascent

Bajcetic made his Premier League debut off the bench in the Reds' 9-0 win over Bournemouth but did not see any league action for the next 10 games until a pair of substitute appearances against Aston Villa and Leicester in December.

Back-to-back defeats at the hands of Brentford and Brighton to start the year saw Klopp hand the midfielder his first league start in the goalless draw with Chelsea at Anfield. 

He played as the deepest midfielder in that match and the subsequent one as the Merseysiders lost 3-0 to Wolves. 

Klopp has moved his No43 further forward since Fabinho returned to the side and that combination has yielded excellent results with successive 2-0 victories over Everton and Newcastle.

Thiago tutelage

Klopp revealed that Thiago has taken on the role of Bajcetic's mentor, adding that their fathers played together in Spain. 

Speaking last week, he said: "[Bajcetic is a] top talent, super player, [he has] played really, really, really good for us so far. 

"Since he's [been] with us, he's [been] a pure joy to work with. I think the mix of Serbia and Spain is a good one for football. 

"I'm not sure [if] you've met him but if you meet him he's a top, intelligent boy, a joy to work together with. 

"The interesting part is that his dad and Thiago's dad played together for Celta Vigo. So Thiago took him a little bit under his wing. He has a great bunch of players around him who he can learn from. Absolute joy to work with."

Passing between the lines

What makes Bajcetic stand out from the crowd is his propensity to pick out team-mates who have moved into a pocket of space between the opponents' defensive and midfield lines. 

In the Premier League, the teenager had attempted the sixth-most passes (4.58) and progressive passes (4.07) between the lines per 90 minutes prior to this weekend — a truly remarkable feat for such an inexperienced player.

He also ranked inside the division's top 30 for passes between the lines completed (3.56) and played under pressure (2.54). 

Thiago's tutelage appears to be paying off with the Vigo native certainly looking every bit a future Spain midfielder.

Battling Bajcetic

As Klopp alluded to, Bajcetic possesses a rare blend of footballing cultures. 

His technique is there for all to see and the youngster certainly cannot be accused of shirking his off-the-ball duties. 

The Reds' academy graduate sits inside the league's top 30 players for aggressive recoveries, possession-adjusted interceptions, 50-50 duels attempted and total ground duels per 90 in the Premier League.

Technical ability alone is not enough to thrive in Liverpool's high-octane system and Bajcetic boasts a superb work-rate.

Role in the rebuild

Klopp has demonstrated great faith in Bajcetic by deploying him at a time when the Reds — and a number of senior players — were struggling. 

The 6ft 1in starlet has displayed the ability to perform as a holding midfielder or further forward, though the latter could be a less unforgiving place for him to learn his trade at the top level. 

However, his long-term future may well be as Fabinho's successor at the base of Liverpool's central trio. 

Given the presence of young, forward-thinking players such as Harvey Elliott and Fabio Carvalho — as well as the strong links to Jude Bellingham — Bajcetic's unique blend of grit and craft could provide the perfect platform.