Liverpool is currently looking down the barrel of a rifle laden with uncertainty and apprehension. Much will change at Anfield in the coming months as Jurgen Klopp’s tenure as manager comes to an end.
Time has flown by since the German announced his departure from the club at the end of the current season. Klopp made his shocking announcement in January, and it’s already April, but the excitement of competing for as many final season titles as possible has built a bubble around the reality of what’s to come. When the games are over and the title is determined, Liverpool fans will realize what has happened.
There is yet to be a definitive replacement for Klopp, but the transfer speculation mill is still running wild. Along with these ongoing storylines, there are player transfer rumors, conjecture about who will be sold in the summer, and, of course, what the returning Michael Edwards and his new sports director Richard Hughes can do together.
Many high-profile names have been linked to Anfield since the winter transfer window, and with this new chapter beginning, there is plenty of potential and purpose for the club to make a big splash with new additions. In the midst of this season’s barrage of injuries, Liverpool must seek both safety backup options and household names who can step right into the starting lineup. Defenders appear to be the top focus heading into the summer, but Liverpool hasn’t entirely tickled their midfield itch yet.
Last summer, the wholesale midfield exodus that included Fabinho, James Milner, and former captain Jordan Henderson left Klopp with razor-thin depth in his engine room. Thiago’s injury left him with only Stefan Bajčetić as his No.6 option, despite only making 21 appearances for the Reds since his debut.
Bajčetić’s future may impact Liverpool’s summer spending. The bright 19-year-old was tipped as Liverpool’s next big star — which would not have come as a surprise. Klopp and Liverpool can confidently claim to know what they’re doing when it comes to developing young talent, having already produced Trent Alexander-Arnold, Harvey Elliott, Conor Bradley, and now Bobby Clark and Jayden Danns. Bajčetić was formerly included in this list, but others are now catching up.
Will there be room for the Spanish midfielder when he returns from injury? Liverpool currently has seven possibilities for rotation in the middle of the park, and they are actively linked with other engine room players, both attacking and defensive. So, where does this leave Bajčetić?
Injuries can significantly stymie a player’s development within a squad, and unfortunately, the 19-year-old star has gone from being spoken about as Liverpool’s next emerging superstar to being a forgotten alternative that the Reds can’t even say they miss since he hasn’t spent enough time with the team to be missed. It’s a similar scenario for Fábio Carvalho and Sepp van den Berg, who were regarded as future stars but never really took off and are now likely on their way out.
Bajčetić’s current deal expires in 2027, giving the Reds plenty of time to decide on his future. However, now that he has returned to training following a lengthy injury break, Liverpool may contemplate using him as a bargaining chip to secure one of their top transfer targets.
Liverpool is reportedly interested in Fulham’s João Palhinha, but fans are unsure if he will join the club this summer. The Cottagers are reportedly looking for £60 million for the 28-year-old, and despite initially deciding to keep him at the club, their minds have changed.
Fulham vice-chairman Tony Khan has indicated that they will ‘have to consider’ reasonable bids for Palhinha this summer, potentially opening the way for Liverpool. There will most likely be some wiggle area in how much Fulham will accept for the Portuguese midfielder, which is where a clever offer of a swap deal might benefit everyone concerned.
The Reds could reduce the £60 million asking price by incorporating the permanent signing of Bajčetić in the deal. Liverpool has been hunting for a solid No.6 for months, and while Wataru Endō has fit in perfectly since his arrival, they need a headline signing in each position.
Fulham, like Liverpool, has limited alternatives in the defensive midfield position. Palhinha is their only natural No.6, therefore they will need to replace him if they sell this summer. Taking on Bajčetić and some cash gives them two possibilities. Marco Silva has two options: give the 19-year-old first choice and invest the money elsewhere, or hire a successor and develop Bajčetić as his deputy.
Last year, Bajčetić received praise from Klopp and Mohamed Salah, who described him as ‘a joy to work with’ and admitted to trialing the No.8 position to increase his adaptability. Salah described his teammate as ‘a terrific player and person’ who ‘always tries to work hard’.
Despite his limited time on the pitch, Bajčetić has pleased people at Liverpool, but he needs more opportunities to reach his full potential. Providing him with a move to a team where he could become their first choice while also becoming a top transfer target would be beneficial to all parties concerned.
