Forgotten Liverpool man cuts summer short to immediately work with Andoni Iraola

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Liverpool.com or go back to LFC Live.

Stefan Bajcetic has not played for Liverpool since May 2024, but the midfielder cut short his summer break to return to training early as he bids to re-establish himself under new Reds boss Andoni Iraola12:33, 15 Jun 2026Updated 12:39, 15 Jun 2026Stefan Bajcetic is hoping to break back into Liverpool's starting XI this coming season(Image: Getty Images)Liverpool could receive a significant lift ahead of next season, with Stefan Bajcetic set to return to training sooner than anticipated.The young midfielder has endured a prolonged battle with fitness issues that kept him entirely sidelined throughout the last campaign. His most recent outing, in fact, came under former boss Jurgen Klopp — a late substitute appearance in a 4-2 victory over Tottenham back in May 2024.To identify his last starting role for Liverpool, one must cast their mind back nearly three years, to a 3-1 Europa League win over LASK in Austria, where he featured at right-back before being substituted after 60 minutes.Bajcetic has not been afforded a Premier League starting position since March 2023, when he was forced off during a 1-0 defeat against Bournemouth, just as his Reds career appeared to be genuinely gathering pace.The Reds have now received an encouraging sign as Bajcetic was spotted back on the training pitch at the weekend, with the 21-year-old cutting short his summer break to gain a head start on preseason at what promises to be a pivotal juncture in his career.With Andoni Iraola describing his squad as all "like new signings" to him, and the World Cup denying the new head coach of several key players during the United States tour, the timing could scarcely be more fortuitous for Bajcetic to grasp his opportunity.Bajcetic has struggled with injuries in recent years(Image: Getty Images)"Back on track," Bajcetic posted alongside images of himself at the AXA Training Centre on Saturday, undertaking a tailored program.Produce an impressive display this summer, and he may very well succeed.The former Celta Vigo talent seized upon a notable shortage in Klopp's midfield resources during the 2022/23 season, spending the latter half of that campaign appearing every bit a long-term prospect with assured performances in high-profile fixtures such as the Merseyside derby and the away match at Newcastle.His ability to retain possession under duress and his technical quality on the ball from deep midfield stood out prominently for a period as he sought to realize his substantial potential, having initially joined the academy structure as a center-back aged 16.That injury, an adductor tear suffered at the Vitality Stadium, has proven particularly detrimental to his Liverpool career.That fixture marked his 19th appearance as a Red, yet his tally, more than three years on, now stands at just 22.Loan spells with Red Bull Salzburg and Las Palmas produced varying results, and Bajcetic has quietly been working away behind closed doors at the AXA Training Centre, striving to put a difficult few years firmly behind him following a series of injury setbacks.The Spain U21 international featured 19 times for Salzburg before returning to his native country mid-season with Las Palmas, following the dismissal of Pep Lijnders — who had been instrumental in bringing him to Austria — shortly before Christmas.