The sight of Stefan Bajcetic in his Liverpool equipment on the AXA Coaching Centre led to hypothesis over a return, however followers shouldn’t be getting carried away.
Tuesday introduced a sequence of optimistic updates when it got here to Jurgen Klopp‘s squad, as 4 gamers returned and two extra shook off minor points.
• READ: Confirmed: 27-man squad in Liverpool coaching – Trent or Szoboszlai nonetheless OUT
Mohamed Salah‘s comeback took the headlines, however Alisson and Joe Gomez have been additionally concerned after sickness, Conor Bradley returned from compassionate go away and Diogo Jota and Ryan Gravenberch have been confirmed to be match.
One other participant noticed in footage from the AXA Coaching Centre was Bajcetic, who arrived alongside his team-mates and was seen in coaching gear.
Good morning ? pic.twitter.com/D1dgzxrGQ6
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 13, 2024
With Bajcetic enjoying darts with fellow teen Bobby Clark within the canteen, numerous Liverpool fan websites speculated over a return as he wore ‘full coaching equipment’.
However, unsurprisingly, the 19-year-old didn’t be part of the first-team squad for coaching – nor was he a part of the preliminary session within the gymnasium.
As a substitute, Bajcetic continues to comply with a person programme as Liverpool fastidiously handle his physique amid points associated to his progress.
Whereas this newest layoff was initially claimed to be a “little, little, little setback” in his calf when Klopp up to date on the midfielder’s absence in September, it has proved to be a wider space.
His harm is extra precisely described as musculoskeletal – or in layman’s phrases, rising pains.
“It’s harsh for these boys,” Klopp mirrored in November.
“Typically if you’re an actual expertise, like Conor [Bradley] is for instance or Stefan Bajcetic is, then you might be prepared footballing-wise, however the physique nonetheless must develop into the depth.
“These two boys in all probability have now had that spell – one has it nonetheless, the opposite one is out of it – now we’ve to ensure we don’t overdo it.
“We actually attempt, we’re actually cautious with the boys, however typically it occurs anyway.”
Bajcetic has featured this season – twice in September, after overcoming a long-term adductor harm – however it stays to be seen whether or not he’ll once more underneath Klopp.
Assistant supervisor Pepijn Lijnders had predicted that each Bajcetic and Thiago would rejoin coaching in February, however a brand new setback for the latter exhibits that Liverpool have to be conscious of constructing points worse.
• COLUMN: Thiago Alcantara: One of many nice, misplaced Liverpool careers?
That’s significantly the case for Bajcetic, who solely turned 19 in October, with the membership taking each precaution to make sure his physique is ready for a 15-plus-year profession.
This all means the most recent headlines round Bajcetic can, for now, be boiled right down to: ‘Man adjustments into his uniform at work’.
