Liverpool teenager Stefan Baisetic admits that his rapid growth in Jurgen Klopp’s first team surprised even him.
The 18-year-old made his first start in the Premier League, having held a goalless draw at home with Chelsea last weekend, having played only the 10th match.
He made his debut as a substitute in the 70th minute in August’s 9-0 win over Bournemouth and in his first Champions League match two weeks later, before returning to the under-23 team for a couple of EFL Trophy games, while remaining in and around Klopp’s team. .
He scored at Aston Villa on Boxing Day and, after impressing in last week’s FA Cup third-round replay with Wolverhampton, was left in the Chelsea squad, with Klopp keen to inject more energy into a midfield that has looked lacklustre all season.
“To be honest, I’m a little surprised. Last season I played for the under—18 team,” Baicetic said.
“But I’ve been trying to improve and trying to make an impression here, and if I get an opportunity, I try to take it.
“[Starting with Chelsea] gives me a lot of confidence. I’ve been training hard and trying to get better all season.
“I’m just trying to take opportunities, and when I get them, I play well.”
Despite his age, Baisetic clearly retains faith in Klopp and looks set to start again this weekend at Brighton in the FA Cup as Liverpool return to the scene of what the manager described as the worst performance of his managerial career earlier this month.
Klopp praised the “massive steps” taken by the teenager and admitted it would be unfair to leave him out for bigger names like Fabinho and Jordan Henderson after his performance at Wolves.
“He always tells me to do what I do in training, in training you feel more confident because you’re not performing in front of 60,000 people,” added Baisetic.
“It sounds a little, but it matters if you tell me that.”
The young man also studied with the very experienced Thiago Alcantara, demonstrating a pleasant symmetry, since the couple’s fathers once played together with each other at Celta Vigo - the club from which the Spaniard Baysetic moved to Liverpool in December 2020, initially as a central defender. .
“He simplifies everything a bit,” Baisetic said.
“He talks to me a lot, including in Spanish. He gives me confidence and always tries to help me. I am very grateful to him for that.”
