Liverpool found their groove when they defeated Everton in the Merseyside derby at Anfield, and an 18-year-old midfielder was one of the crucial players
Sure, he can do it in a poor Wolves team performance, but can Stefan Bajcetic do well when the real Liverpool come up?
There were times in recent weeks when you thought we’d never know as awful performance after poor performance, but as the tired grown-ups returned for the Merseyside derby, the youngster stood up. He was fantastic.
“He’s a wonderful player and person, he always tries to work hard,” Mohamed Salah said after the game, before adding, “he’s been our best player since he started playing for us.”
The adolescent, who was standing behind his teammate as they spoke to Sky Sports, flushed as he heard that, but Salah was correct.
And by performing so well when Jordan Henderson and, perhaps more surprisingly, Fabinho returned to the side, Bajcetic demonstrated that his recent great form hasn’t been by luck, and that his purpose in this team isn’t just to be the kid who runs around and pretends to try when so many don’t.
“He’s a wonderful player and person, he always tries to work hard,” Mohamed Salah said after the game, before adding, “he’s been our best player since he started playing for us.”
The adolescent, who was standing behind his teammate as they spoke to Sky Sports, flushed as he heard that, but Salah was correct.
And by performing so well when Jordan Henderson and, perhaps more surprisingly, Fabinho returned to the side, Bajcetic demonstrated that his recent great form hasn’t been by luck, and that his purpose in this team isn’t just to be the kid who runs around and pretends to try when so many don’t.
On a personal level, Bajcetic’s performance against Everton was excellent, but he also provided a platform for his two senior teammates in the midfield – two players who have been lacking in confidence and enthusiasm this season – to do what comes naturally.
Henderson, in particular, raced to the platform and ran all over it, pressing hard and knocking Jordan Pickford over, much to the pleasure of the Kop.
Fabinho still had troubles, with a number of errant passes in particular causing wobbles, but he profited greatly by Bajcetic and Henderson doing the running in front of him, something that Liverpool has been badly lacking this season.
In an interview with Sky alongside Salah, he remarked, “To be fair, I played in a different position, I thought it would be less comfortable, but it was good and I enjoyed it a lot.
“It is amazing to hear a legend say that [Mo has been the best player] to me since he is undoubtedly one of the greatest players in Liverpool history.
“I gained more confidence while I was at Anfield for a few games, and since I always like a solid tackle, combining the two is beneficial.
It’s incredible that, in only one year, I went from playing for the under-18s to Anfield, and I’m really enjoying it.
His midfield teammates caught his contagious energy, which enabled Liverpool to triumph in a struggle in a region of the field Everton would have preferred.
Stefan showed up tonight, and we are so pleased with him. He is a wonderful boy, very brilliant, and unfailingly composed “Jurgen Klopp
spoke when it was his turn to do so.
“He was a center-half when we first used him, and now we used him as an 8. He said “Oh yes!” when I asked him if he enjoyed it.
When they see their names listed on the teamsheet next to a man who has quickly emerged as one of Liverpool’s most crucial players, Henderson and Fabinho are sure to say something similar.
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