Liverpool star Stefan Bajcetic has been ruled out for the rest of the season with injury.
Bajcetic has been one of the stars of the Reds' campaign, which has been a serious disappointment, with the Reds out of the FA Cup, Champions League and the Premier League title race. It marks a serious blow for Jurgen Klopp, who will now have to do without one of his best midfielders.
He has made 19 appearances so far this season, scoring one goal as he earned a place in Klopp's starting line-up. The midfielder confirmed the devastating news in an Instagram post, having been left out of Liverpool's defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Alongside six images from his season so far, the midfielder wrote: "Unfortunately I’ve picked up an injury that will keep me out until the end of the season.
"It’s very sad to say goodbye to this amazing season for me but I understand this is part of football and will only make me stronger physically and mentally. I would also like to say thank you to you reds for all the support through the season and I assure you I will do my best to be back stronger than ever."
Klopp also admitted his disappointment at seeing one of his brightest stars ruled out for the rest of the campaign.
“With Stefan, it is a stress response, which is absolutely bad,” said the manager.
“So, he doesn’t feel a lot, it’s only a little bit but he is now out for I don’t know exactly how long. We have just to let it settle then and we will see when he can come back. [It’s] high up, around the adductor.”
Just two weeks ago, Bajcetic had hailed Klopp for the Reds manager's role in his rise from he academy. The midfielder also praised the senior players for the way they had welcomed him into the first-team.
“I’m just trying to help the team and at the same time, I’m trying to learn as well. I need to keep working hard. I want to stay here. I’m smiling because I wasn’t expecting it to happen this quick or this early in my life. But I am taking it — 100%, I’m taking it!" Bajcetic told The Times.
“He [Klopp] sees me every day in training and he tells me to show my confidence. He likes my intensity, I think. He wants me to be intense but calm with the ball. It is always nice when these big players trust you.
"They give you the ball. When they are in a tough situation on the pitch, they look for you to help. They will give me the ball in a situation that is tough for me, but they believe in me. It gives me a lot of confidence, definitely. They are massive players. If they trust me, then it makes me feel tall. It makes me feel good, like I am a better player."
