Liverpool vs Atalanta: Jurgen Klopp names surprise return after 7 MONTHS out

Jurgen Klopp named a surprise return in his Liverpool squad vs Atalanta on Thursday at Anfield in the UEFA Europa League. Stefan Bajcetic is back.

Jurgen Klopp has named his squad to face Atalanta on Thursday in the first leg of Liverpool’s UEFA Europa League quarter-final. Two expected returns were in there - Trent Alexander-Arnold and Diogo Jota.

Alexander-Arnold has been missing for just over two months now, having last featured against Arsenal on February 10th. Jota picked up his injury a week later, as Liverpool beat Brentford.

And so it’s been a very long time without the pair. However, two months is nothing in the case of Stefan Bajcetic.

The Spaniard hasn’t featured since an EFL Cup tie against Leicester City all the way back on September 27th. He only got 11 minutes in that one, and before that came 61 against LASK in the EUROPA LEAGUE.

72 in total for Bajcetic - but now he’s back. The midfielder is a surprise inclusion on the bench against Atalanta and while it remains to be seen if he gets on, it’s not something anyone predicted.

For one, it had been said that Liverpool would want Bajcetic to play for the Under 21s first after so long out. Clearly, though, it hasn’t been deemed necessary and we could see the youngster back in senior action very soon.

Possibly even tonight.

The Liverpool lineup in full:

(4-3-3): Kelleher; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Endo, Mac Allister, Jones; Elliott, Nunez, Gakpo.

Subs: Adrian, Diaz, Szoboszlai, Salah, Jota, Robertson, Gravenberch, Clark, Bajcetic, Alexander-Arnold, Quansah, Bradley.

Stefan Bajcetic returns

It’s been a nightmare season for Bajcetic after his heroics in the last campaign. That was a breakout season for him, forcing his way into Klopp’s plans and setting himself up for a fantastically bright future with Liverpool.

Then comes a season where we’ve barely seen him - and now Bajcetic faces the tough task for competing for a midfield place all over again. We’ll back him to do it, though, as he’s one of the most well-rounded midfield talents we’ve seen come through.

A brilliant player and we couldn’t be happier that he’s back in the mix.