Stefan Bajcetic has thanked Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp and his staff as he scooped the Men’s Player of the Month award for January. The 18-year-old signed a four-and-a-half-year extension at Anfield, keeping him with the Reds until 2027, and has already shown a glimpse into what he can offer after a number of scintillating performances. Throughout the course of the season, the Spaniard has slowly emerged as a first-team option for Klopp and since their FA Cup win over Wolves, he has been ever-present in the starting line-up. To add to his Player of the Match award in Monday’s Merseyside derby win over Everton, Bajcetic has added the Standard Chartered Player of the Month, beating Harvey Elliott and Thiago Alcantara to the award.
Stefan Bajcetic said: “I’m very happy, very pleased and thankful to the fans, to the players and to the staff as well – and obviously to my family and my friends, my girlfriend, they all help a lot. Since I stepped into the first team they’ve [the fans] been very supportive to me. I am very happy. I enjoy playing here, this season has been amazing for me – probably the best season ever. Hopefully I can stay here [for] many years. It’s crazy, if you will tell me two months ago I wouldn’t believe it. It’s happened – so, I guess I have to believe it,”
he added after an impressive stint in the squad that saw him score his first goal, during the win over Aston Villa at the end of last year, and pen a new deal.
Stefan Bajcetic added: “I spent pre-season and the whole season [in the senior squad]. So now I’m more confident with the players out of the pitch and in the pitch as well. At the moment, I’m in my most confident [period] this season because [I’ve] been playing now with some games – I feel very confident about [it]. I think I’m showing now what I can do.”
Thiago, whose father Mazinho featured alongside Bajcetic’s father Srdan at Celta Vigo in the late 90s, and James Milner have been a few of the names credited with roles in the midfielder’s development.
Stefan Bajcetic added: “The young, the old players, everyone has been very helpful to me. At the moment, I’m at my most confident because I’ve been playing games, I feel very confident. I’m sure I can show what I can do. Since the start, since pre-season, he’s been very supportive to me and I’m very thankful for that because as a young player it gives you massive confidence when you see the staff is trying to help you, it makes you feel good. Since day one they’ve been very supportive and I’m very thankful.