Last summer, it was Kaide Gordon. The year before, Billy Koumetio. And 12 months previous to that, Yasser Larouci.
Each pre-season, a Liverpool youngster grabs the rare opportunity of game time alongside first-team regulars to introduce themselves to a wider audience beyond regular Academy observers.
While rarely a guarantee of making the grade at Anfield, it nevertheless provides an early testing ground for their potential under the watchful eye of Jurgen Klopp and his coaching staff, even for those whom training with the seniors has become more commonplace since the first team and Academy moved on to the same site in Kirkby.
READ MORE: Thiago explains change after Jurgen Klopp talks and makes 'important' Darwin Nunez claim
EXCLUSIVE: Darwin Nunez is ready for 'big step' at Liverpool and three players prove it
Isaac Mabaya, Luke Chambers and Harvey Davies have all enjoyed their first such steps this month. But the real breakthrough talent has been Stefan Bajcetic, the 17-year-old Spaniard who has shone during his cameos in defensive midfield against Manchester United, Crystal Palace and RB Leipzig.
In some sense, the teenager is making up for lost time having missed the final three months of last season through injury having been a regular for the under-18s and started his progression to the U23s.
"To be honest, I just want to stay fit and be able to play games – if it's in the Academy or first team," said Bajcetic.
"I just want to play football and stay fit because last year I was injured at the end of the season. I just want to be fit, playing and trying to impress."
Bajcetic, whose father was a Serbia international, was signed by Liverpool from Celta Vigo and became the last player snapped up before post-Brexit rules prevented clubs from signing overseas players under the age of 18 at the start of 2021.
He began as a central defender but has benefited from a switch into defensive midfield, and has been making the most of this summer being able to watch Fabinho in the position. Bajcetic's role in helping assist Liverpool's fourth goal in Leipzig, winning the ball high up the field and then finding Harvey Elliott to assist goalscorer Darwin Nunez, underlined his qualities.
"I always played centre-back growing up but now I think I'm capable of playing there (in midfield)," said Bajcetic. "If they give me the opportunity, I will. To be honest, I don't mind (where I play). I just want to play football. If the staff and coach thinks I'm needed there, I will play there.
"In that role, I just look to work hard and run with the ball, try to play out and not lose too many balls. Fabinho is one of the best in the world in his position, definitely. Especially for this club, the way he plays, I think, is the best, and I always try to look at him and learn from him.
"It's obviously tough to play like him but I always try to look at him and learn from his positioning, his pressing and all that."
And of his pre-season breakthrough, Bajcetic said to liverpoolfc.com: "It's been very good. It's a very good experience for young lads to play in Thailand and Singapore and travel with the team. Everyone has been good with me. Luckily, I can speak Spanish as well, so I can speak with everyone really.
"Obviously (my family and friends) are very happy and buzzing. They always try to watch the games and if there's something on social media, they try to look at it. I'm very happy. The coaching staff have been very supportive and I'm grateful for the opportunity."
READ NEXT:
