Liverpool wonderkid BOMBSHELL leaves plan in tatters

Liverpool suddenly face a problem with Stefan Bajcetic. Where do the Reds go from here after Monday's bombshell?

Liverpool weren't sure what to do with Stefan Bajcetic this summer. An injury-ridden campaign ruined his first-team chances in Jurgen Klopp's final season - but what would Arne Slot make of him?

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His lack of football made a loan feel inevitable but Liverpool didn't actually send him out anywhere until the last minute, essentially. Bajcetic joined Red Bull Salzburg in what felt like a safe, can't-lose deal.

After all, Pep Lijnders was the new head coach there - he knew how to get the best out of Bajcetic and right his course. The wonderkid - or at least, one-time wonderkid - could get his career back on track as a starting player at a UEFA Champions League team.

It hasn't quite worked out, however. Bajcetic hasn't been a star at Salzburg, while the team itself have been as bad as any point in the last decade.

Now a new bombshell throws the Spaniard's future into complete doubt.

Pep Lijnders sacked

Pep Lijnders has been sacked by Salzburg after their atrocious start to the season. Few can be surprised - it's been a shocking run of form for months now.

But it does bring about worries over Bajcetic. After all, working with Lijnders was supposed to be the safe option for his development.

Now the Reds are waiting to see on a new appointment. Not only will they want the new coach there to be one who develops youngsters (that does feel like a certainty at Salzburg, though), it's also important that he rates Bajcetic.

If he doesn't, this season will turn into a developmental disaster. Bajcetic is a player who desperately needed to get his career back on track after the injury, if he's to have any chance of breaking in at Liverpool.

Lijnders, admittedly, didn't give him what he needed anyway. Now there's nothing but uncertainty.

Hopefully, things can find the right path soon - but it'll be a waiting game on that front.

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