Liverpool set to unveil new Steven Gerrard as Richard Hughes completes genius deal

Richard Hughes completed a genius January deal that could secure Liverpool their next Steven Gerrard.

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The Reds' sporting director wasn't overly active in the winter market. There were no new arrivals at Anfield.

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Although as Anfield Watch revealed exclusively, Liverpool did try to bring in Stefanos Tzimas with the Reds' scouting department huge fans of the Greek international.

In the end, Tzimas agreed a deal with Brighton as he looks for more regular first team minutes, something that was not guaranteed for him at Anfield much to the dismay of Hughes.

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However, it's not all doom and gloom. Hughes still struck a string of deals that could prove to be vital for the club in the future.

One of the most important ones could deliver Liverpool their new Steven Gerrard.

Why Stefan Bajcetic could become Liverpool's next Gerrard

In January, Stefan Bajcetic had hit a crossroads in his career. His loan spell at Salzburg had not paid dividends. Pep Lijnders had been fired and the Austrian side have struggled throughout the campaign.

It was an unstable environment for the Liverpool midfielder. One that does not encourage nurture nor development.

Hughes, however, made the decision to recall him from his loan spell and send him out on loan again in a move that has proven to be a genius masterstroke.

Bajcetic has ended up in La Liga playing for Las Palmas and already during his brief time at the club he has already started to earn plaudits for his performances.

In his latest outing against Mallorca, Bajcetic showed why his best role is as a box-to-box midfielder, running into the area to score his first goal for the club and covering a lot of ground in midfield.

Often the Spaniard has been labelled as a holding midfielder or even as a centre-back. This is where he has been deployed the most often at academy level for Liverpool.

But in the modern game, the reality is that Bajcetic's best role is as a number eight, running up and down the pitch.

He's got the essence of Steven Gerrard in that sense. During the beginning of his career, Gerrard also often had to play out of position and it wasn't until he was approaching his mid-twenties that he finally found his place.

Bajcetic is the same. He's been mis-profiled but now at Las Palmas he's finally showing what he can do and he's thriving.

There is a genuine gem of a player hiding in Bajcetic. It's easy to forget over two years ago against Aston Villa he became the third youngest ever player to score for Liverpool in the Premier League.

Only Raheem Sterling and Michael Owen netted at a younger age.

He's still so young, and like Gerrard, he also had a long time out with an injury due to growing pains which has made Bajcetic into a bit of a late bloomer.

But what is meant to be will come.

And Bajcetic is still a tremendous talent. Hughes' decision to send him out on another loan this season has proven to be a masterstroke.

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One that could very much unveil Liverpool's new Gerrard.

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