Liverpool made £200k signing in 2020, it's now becoming clear it was absolutely genius


In some ways, Stefan Bajcetic is a historic transfer for Liverpool. He was the last pre-Brexit deal for the Reds and one that would have been impossible afterwards.

Bajcetic arrived as a 16-year-old from Celta Vigo, with Liverpool paying £224k, per the Athletic. Manchester United also wanted the teenager and there was a race on. Once the UK left the EU, it would be impossible to sign Under 18 players as they couldn’t get a work permit.

The deal was finalised on the 31st of December 2020 – literally the day before Brexit. And with that, Liverpool secured an incredible bargain that could got down in history for many more reasons.

Liverpool got a highly-rated centre-back for £200k, then. Fast-forward two years and Bajcetic is no longer that.

He’s now an incredibly gifted holding midfielder, with the Reds having worked hard to develop him in that role recently. Bajcetic impressed enough at youth level that he earned a place in the pre-season squad – and that’s an opportunity he took remarkably well.

Boxing Day, though, showed just how far Bajcetic has come. Jurgen Klopp brought him on against Aston Villa with Liverpool holding a slender one-goal lead.

He didn’t come on as a holding midfielder, however, nor as a centre-back. Klopp used him as a more traditional midfielder – yet another more advanced change of position for Bajcetic.

It’s another opportunity he took well. The Spaniard scored Liverpool’s third goal, suggesting that midfield role is one he can go on to master.

Getting a youngster who can make it to the Premier League is difficult enough, let alone for £200k. Liverpool didn’t just achieve that, though – they found one who can cover three different positions in their squad and is already doing it at 18.

Bajcetic is special and Liverpool found themselves a remarkable bargain.

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