Jurgen Klopp: Stefan Bajcetic introduction like 'going on the motorway on a bicycle'

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp conceded he may have made error in judgment regarding his substitutions during his side's 4-2 win over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

With the score at 4-0, Klopp made a double substitution which coincided with Spurs's best period of the game.

Ultimately, it resulted in Ange Postecoglou's siding pulling two goals back from Richarlison and Son Heung-Min to set up a tense ending to the game.

Stefan Bajcetic makes Liverpool return

One of the two players introduced by Klopp was Stefan Bajcetic. The 19-year-old, making his first senior appearance in over seven months, entered the fray as a substitute for Wataru Endo with half an hour remaining.

The Spaniard had been gradually regaining match fitness with appearances for the Under 21s, but his lack of sharpness was evident as Liverpool relinquished control, conceding two goals with fellow substitutes Joe Gomez and Ryan Gravenberch also struggling to make an impact.

Reflecting on the substitutions in an interview with BBC Sport, Klopp suggested that bringing Bajcetic on so early may have been an oversight in light of his ongoing recovery process.

"The changes we made, would I do exactly the same again? I'm not sure!" Klopp admitted, with a touch of humour.

“But today obviously you saw, [Bajcetic] comes on and it’s like you arrive on the motorway with your bicycle."

Time still needed

According to Klopp, the Spaniard looks "really good in training", but conceded that he may still need more time.

Pointing towards the subsequent loss of organisation after Bajcetic's introduction, Klopp used it as a prime example that "it takes time" for long-term absentees to get back up to speed.

Nonetheless, with Thiago set to leave the club in the summer, next season promises to be a big one for Bajcetic as he seeks to establish himself as the long-term solution for the holding midfield role under new boss Arne Slot.