Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has been forced to withdraw from the Netherlands squad after a viral infection struck the Dutch squad, with the Merseyside club facing Manchester City in just over a week's time.
03.03.2023 - 23:19 / manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Stefan Bajcetic insists 'there was nobody else' on his mind once Liverpool approached him over a move to Anfield amid known interest from Manchester United.
The 18-year-old has been a shining light in an otherwise underwhelming season at Liverpool, consistently impressing since his debut back in August. The turn of the year in particular has seen the teenager establish himself as not only a first-team option for Jurgen Klopp but as one of his best performers.
A hugely promising talent at Celta Vigo, Bajcetic attracted interest from a number of Premier League clubs the day he turned 16, not least United who were thought to be leading the race for his signature. But Liverpool swooped in and landed him in December 2020, and ahead of facing the side he could have played for on Sunday, the Spaniard admitted there was only one option once that call arrived.
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"When I heard that Liverpool wanted to sign me, there was nobody else to decide on. This was the only one,” Bajcetic told the Mirror. "“I’m at Liverpool now, I’m just focusing on that and I don’t want to talk about other clubs."
Bajcetic has started eight times in all competitions since the start of 2023, with Mohamed Salah admitting the youngster had been Liverpool's best player since the World Cup break.
Having started in Wednesday's 2-0 win at Wolves on Wednesday, one would think Klopp could rest Bajcetic and opt for experience on Sunday. But the teenager started in the Merseyside derby against Everton and was man of the match, holding his own in the fiercest of atmospheres.
And he knows Sunday will be similarly fiery: “It’s the English ‘Clasico’, no? It’s a massive game."
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Liverpool forward Cody Gakpo has been forced to withdraw from the Netherlands squad after a viral infection struck the Dutch squad, with the Merseyside club facing Manchester City in just over a week's time.
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