Jurgen Klopp reveals Liverpool plan for Stefan Bajcetic as youngster nears full return

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said he had forgotten Stefan Bajcetic had played for the club this season, such has been the length of time the youngster has been sidelined with injury.

But now the teenager is nearing a full return and could play a part in a run-in that sees Liverpool attempting to win the Premier League and Europa League before Klopp departs.

The 19 year-old started for the Reds in the 3-1 win against LASK in the Europa League in September before coming off the bench a week later in the Carabao Cup against Leicester at Anfield, with both his appearances coming at right-back.

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Bajcetic has been sidelined ever since with injuries linked to his growth and after undergoing a mini 'pre-season' during the international break, will step up his training with the under-21s before joining in with the senior squad.

Speaking in his press conference ahead of the Brighton game, Klopp revealed the Spaniard is progressing in his rehabilitation and expects him to follow the example set by Conor Bradley, who returned from a long-term injury of his own to force his way into the senior set up.

Asked for an update on Bajcetic, Klopp said: “Football brain wise he is a natural, he's not lost anything there, but rhythm is something else. He is in partial training with the U21s and will be in full training with the U21s next week. Then after that he will join our training. That's the plan. Then we will see.

"But the boy grew. He has put a few muscles on and looks good. Conor Bradley didn’t need a long time when he was out for a long time. He's a smart kid. I think he will be fine. But what do I know? I've not been that long injured in that age group."

He added: "He watched a lot of football but it's not that he played with us regularly. I forgot he’d played for us early in the season and everything went the wrong way. But now he's nearly back, I'm really happy for him and for us."