Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed that Stefan Bajcetic remains sidelined following a series of frustrating injury setbacks. The 21-year-old midfielder, once considered one of the brightest prospects at Anfield, has been unable to join first-team training, raising further questions about his long-term future with the Reds.
Speaking via the club’s official channels and corroborated by The Athletic’s James Pearce, Slot emphasized the need for caution. The Spanish youth international has been plagued by physical issues over the past two seasons, preventing him from building any momentum under the new management.
“One Step Forward, Two Steps Back”
Arne Slot opened up about the difficulty of managing Bajcetic’s recovery:
“He’s not training yet. He gets constantly closer to the team and then suffers a little setback, and then it happens again. We hope to have him back soon, but as much as I want him back, we also have to manage expectations.”
A Career Stalled by Injuries
After promising stints on loan at Red Bull Salzburg (19 games) and Las Palmas (14 games, 1 goal) last season, the hope was that Bajcetic would return to Merseyside ready to compete for a starting spot. However, he has yet to feature in a single minute of competitive action in the 2025/26 campaign.
According to Transfermarkt, the midfielder is not expected to return to the pitch until after a scheduled surgical procedure in early April. This prolonged absence has led to internal discussions regarding his durability in the high-intensity environment of the Premier League.
Potential Summer Sale?
As the injuries mount, Liverpool’s hierarchy may be forced to make a difficult decision. Reports from CaughtOffside suggest that the club might consider selling Bajcetic this summer.
A move to a league with a lower physical demand potentially a return to La Liga could be seen as the best solution for both the player’s career and the club’s squad management. For now, the focus remains on his rehabilitation, but the clock is ticking for the talented Spaniard to prove he can handle the rigors of elite English football.
Ronald Mike is a football writer covering the English Premier League, providing match analysis, tactical insight, and coverage of key rivalries and title races across the season.
