Spain U21 manager Santi Denia has included Liverpool’s Stefan Bajčetić in his squad for this month’s international break, despite him not featuring for the Premier League side this season.
The 18-year-old last made an appearance for the Reds in March and an abductor injury forced him to miss the final two months of last season. He has started training under Jürgen Klopp’s orders and is waiting to make his first appearance of this season.
AS interviewed Denia and asked him if the Liverpool player is ready to feature against Malta and Scotland.
“I wanted him to be here so he could meet the group. He has a work plan that we previously knew about and which we are going to continue,” he said.
“He has signed up for Liverpool and although he hasn’t played, we’re looking forward to giving him minutes, even though playing there is very difficult.”
Liverpool signed the youngster from Celta Vigo in 2020 and initially included him in their U18 squad. Bajčetić was used both as a centre-back and a defensive midfielder there, and continued to operate in these two positions with Liverpool’s U21s.
Last August, he made his first team debut, and Klopp has used him as a midfielder.
When AS asked the Spain U21 manager whether he sees Bajčetić as a centre-back or a midfielder, Denia explained: “When he played in the lower ranks, he played central. I think he can give us alternatives in that position. It can be like [Hugo] Guillamón in the previous generation, occupying various positions. I have spoken to him and he agrees with that role.”
