Liverpool star's dad fires subtle dig at Arne Slot after transfer green-lit

The father of Stefan Bajcetic has fired a sly dig at Liverpool manager Arne Slot as the midfielder prepares to leave the club on loan. The 19-year-old is poised to join Red Bull Salzburg before Friday’s 11pm transfer deadline, having made just three appearances in the 2023/24 campaign.

Bajcetic first broke into the first team in the 2022/23 season, but an adductor injury curtailed his progress last year.

He has agreed terms to join Salzburg for the next 10 months despite Barcelona desperately attempting to sign him at the last minute.

Bajcetic Snr admitting the development had come as a surprise – and took a jab at Liverpool by saying he’s “ready” to play for a top club immediately despite the fact he’s being loaned out. 

“We didn’t expect Barça to enter the race, we have all ready to go to Salzburg,” he told RAC1.

“But we still don’t have any information on what’s gonna happen. I’d like Stefan to play for a top club like Barça or the same as Liverpool, as he’s ready for top clubs.”

Only last year, the teenager was handed a new four-year deal by the club, implying FSG viewed him as a long-term prospect. No buy option has been included in his loan move to Austria.

Barca meanwhile are said to have offered a one-year loan deal for £3.3million in order to cover the absence of defensive midfielder Marc Bernal. The Spaniard was forced off during the clash with Rayo Vallecano on Sunday with what was later confirmed as a serious ACL injury.

However, the financial constraints at the Spanish club scuppered their attempt to hijack the Salzburg deal. Barcelona need clearance from La Liga before making further signings, and must provide authorities with evidence they can honour wages and fees without breaching financial regulations.

The proposed move to the Austrian Bundesliga has come as little surprise, given Salzburg are now managed by Pep Lijnders. The Dutchman served as Jurgen Klopp’s assistant and helped oversee Bajcetic being introduced into the senior ranks.

He quickly made his mark, scoring in the 3-1 win at Aston Villa in December 2022. Aged 18 at the time,  he became the third youngest player to score for Liverpool in the Premier League, behind Michael Owen and Raheem Sterling.

Later that season, he also became the youngest club player to start in a Champions League knockout match. He featured in the XI for the first leg of a last-16 tie against Real Madrid, which ended in a 5-2 defeat for the Reds.