Stefan Bajcetic appears to drop fitness hint ahead of Arsenal clash
Stefan Bajcetic appears to have dropped a hint at his fitness as Liverpool prepare to take on Arsenal in the FA Cup. The midfielder hasn't played since September.
Stefan Bajcetic may be nearing fitness - finally. The midfielder hasn't played since September and has just two games under his belt all season. Even that's underselling it.
Bajcetic has played just 72 minutes all season. This was supposed to be a big one for the Spaniard after he broke into the first-team picture in the league campaign. Instead, he's become a forgotten part of the squad.
But we're now nearing a return, it seems. Bajcetic was always expected to make some sort of a return early this year but it appears he may be closer than anyone thought.
He posted a photo on Instagram of him entering Liverpool's training ground - something he hasn't done since his injury. He tagged it with 'Patience' and this comes a week after a post of him running with an 'Hourglass' emoji.
Liverpool face Arsenal on Sunday and with something of a depleted squad. Wataru Endo won't be able to play in holding midfield as he's with Japan at the Asian Cup. Dominik Szoboszlai has a hamstring problem and can't play, either.
Thus there are spaces in midfield and they're spaces Bajcetic would fill quite nicely. It could well be - given Liverpool knew full well that Endo would depart this month - that the youngster has been saved somewhat.
If that's the case, perhaps Bajcetic could make his long-awaited return this weekend. That would certainly be a timely one as Liverpool are up against it a little with their absences.
At the same time, we're guessing. Bajcetic is being pretty cryptic with all of this and it could really be nothing. Perhaps he's simply showing off his outfit.
We'll cross our fingers, though.