'I'm sure': What Liverpool are planning on doing with Stefan Bajcetic after Pep Lijnders is sacked - journalist

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Liverpool have some decisions to make over a number of loan players during the January transfer window.

As injuries start to bite for the Reds, supporters would perhaps like to see one or two well-performing youngsters return to Anfield from temporary spells away.

One of those who could surely lend a hand to the Liverpool squad right now is Stefan Bajcetic.

Bajcetic has been earmarked for a long-term role for the Reds, but after virtually 18 months without playing, it was decided that the 20-year-old would spend the season with RB Salzburg.

Part of the thinking behind that was no doubt that former Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders had just been hired by the Austrian club.

However, Lijnders reign was ended on Monday after just 27 matches in charge. As Salzburg ponder their next move, Liverpool fans are wondering what will become of Bajcetic.

Liverpool keeping an eye on Stefan Bajcetic situation

Some supporters were not happy with the decision to send Bajcetic away for the season. Given that Liverpool now look slightly light in central midfield, you can understand why.

Nevertheless, it’s also true that Arne Slot has barely used Tyler Morton – a player in a similar mould – and Bajcetic has played 18 times already for Salzburg.

Now that he is playing regularly again, some will be no doubt calling for the Spaniard to return in January.

And according to journalist David Lynch, Liverpool will be keeping an eye on who follows Lijnders at Salzburg and how that affects Bajcetic.

READ MORE: Stefan Bajcetic produces jaw-dropping moment of skill while out on-loan at RB Salzburg

“In terms of Bajcetic, an interesting one really,” Lynch tells Anfield Agenda.

“I guess they’ll have to kind of wait and see who the new manager is, whether he fits into his plans and whether he can get minutes there, because that’s the important thing.”

“They want Bajcetic to play games this season to get his fitness back up and get that sharpness back after that lengthy lay-off.

“So, they’ll just be kind of keeping an eye on that, see who the new manager is and if he says ‘you’re not going to be in my plans’ then I’m sure there’ll be a recall and maybe a loan elsewhere in January.”

Bajcetic unlikely to be back at Liverpool

Whether fans agree or not, it seems that it would have to take something extraordinary to happen for Bajcetic to be turning out for Liverpool this season.

As Lynch alludes to, it seems that the Spain U21 star will either stay at Salzburg or come back to Anfield and head elsewhere.

Barcelona wanted Bajcetic over the summer, and with Lijnders now gone, perhaps the midfielder will be wondering if he made the right decision after all.

Nevertheless, the key remit this term should still be getting minutes back into the legs of Bajcetic, wherever he is.

If the former Celta Vigo prospect can show the same level that he did at Liverpool before getting injured, there’s no reason that he won’t still be back in the first-team under Slot next season.