John Barnes: Stefan Bajcetic can take the long-term number six role at Liverpool

Rumours are circling that Stefan Bajcetic is subject to several transfer offers from various clubs this transfer window. The 19-year-old was left out of the squad completely in Liverpool’s opening fixture against Ipswich Town, which only further fuels the transfer rumours.

We recently sat down with Liverpool legend John Barnes, who praised the youngster heavily and mentioned him being a long-term player for the Reds.

When we asked John Barnes who would fit the number six role better out of Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch, the ex-Liverpool player opted for Stefan Bajcetic as a player who could take that position soon;

“You also can look at Bajcetic. Obviously Endo came in as a stop-gap to play in that role. He’s a very good defensive midfield player. But the way that Arne Slot wants to play, I think he wants more quality on the ball in terms of playing the ball forward, quickly, playing it into the pockets, playing one or two touch, I think Endo is very good defensively, but I think that the number six role to Liverpool is going to be like a Pirlo type of role, who is very good in possession.

So, Bajcetic can do that. Curtis Jones can and I’d say him more than Gravenberch, because Curtis Jones has played there. Gravenberch has played there but perhaps not quite as much. I think that Bajcetic, once he gets 100% fit, that role is his.

It’s a different kind of a role that number six, and I think that it probably would have suited Thiago the way that Arne Slot wants to play. But of course, he’s not there. So yeah, I think that Curtis Jones could play in that role. But I think that long term, that’ll be Bajcetic,”

He also mentioned that he is happy if Liverpool don’t sign a dedicated number six this window as he thinks Bajcetic can take that role for himself. He was also mentioned under some of the players that Barnes thinks can thrive the most under new manager Arne Slot.

Bajcetic missed the vast majority of last season due to an injury but is said to be fully fit for play this season. Arne Slot is also said to be a big fan of the midfielder so it’d be a bold move to let the 19-year-old move away from Anfield this summer.

You can read the full interview that we had with John Barnes here