A highly-rated Liverpool youngster, who was once dubbed Liverpool’s “best player” by Mohamed Salah, has fallen off the radar a little in recent years
Harry Brent Senior Sports Writer
09:27, 13 Nov 2025
A player Mo Salah once labelled “Liverpool’s best” is still waiting to make his mark under Arne Slot(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Stefan Bajcetic was once hailed as Liverpool’s “best player” by Mo Salah but he’s barely featured under Arne Slot. The 21-year-old starlet, sidelined by a hamstring injury since May, made a blistering start to his Anfield career but has seen his progress stall since then.
Bajcetic emerged during the 2022/23 season, playing 19 times and standing out as one of the few positives in a challenging campaign for the Reds. Comfortable in both central midfield and at centre back, he impressed supporters and pundits alike with his versatility, technical skill and composure on the ball.
His performances even drew praise from Salah, who showered the youngster with praise after he was named Liverpool’s Player of the Month in January 2023. “He’s a great player and person, he always tries to work hard,” the Egyptian said.
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“Since he started playing for us, he has been our best player maybe, so hopefully he keeps that confidence and keeps going.”
Bajcetic later admitted he was thrilled by Salah’s praise. “When Salah tells you these things you try not to get carried away,” he said. “When Klopp or players of that calibre tell you these things, it gives you more confidence to go into training the next day and give more. You try to keep your feet on the ground and continue learning from the best.”
He seemed poised to become a regular at Liverpool, but Slot’s arrival in 2024 changed the situation. The trust Bajcetic had earned under Jurgen Klopp meant little and he suddenly had to prove his abilities from scratch.
Bajcetic burst onto the scene in the 2022/23 campaign(Image: Getty Images)
To gain consistent minutes, he moved on loan to Red Bull Salzburg, reuniting with former Liverpool assistant Pep Lijnders, who was managing the Austrian team. After a promising first half of the season, Liverpool recalled him in January and sent him out again, this time to Las Palmas for the rest of the campaign.
Reflecting on the switch, Bajcetic called returning to Spain the “best option” for his growth, highlighting Las Palmas’ strong track record of developing young players.
“It was important that the players on loan are also playing and increasing their value here,” he said at his unveiling. “Las Palmas is a team that plays good football and gives opportunities to players who come on loan.
Bajcetic spent half of last season on loan at Las Palmas, before suffering a season-ending injury(Image: Getty Images)
“I hope there will be some for me too. Considering things, it was the best option for me, I want to grow as a footballer. I think I can improve here.”
Bajcetic’s time at Las Palmas started well but ended in disappointment. In May, he suffered a hamstring injury that required surgery, putting him out for several months.
In October, Liverpool U21s coach Rob Page revealed the club still had no confirmed return date, suggesting the midfielder might remain sidelined until 2026.
The 21-year-old is still waiting to make his first appearance under Arne Slot(Image: Getty Images)
Despite the injury – and not having played under Slot yet – Bajcetic can take comfort in knowing he remains part of the manager’s long-term vision at Anfield. “I hope it will be a big year for him because he’s a very talented player and I think he could become a very important player for us,” the Dutchman said about Bajcetic ahead of his loan move to Salzburg.
“It’s a smart decision, at least in our opinion, to let him go somewhere, where he will hopefully play a lot of games. Then for next season, we’ll have a player. If he fulfils his potential, [he] could definitely, definitely play for us in the future.”