Stefan Bajcetic has revealed he was 'shocked' to find out he would be making his first Premier League start this weekend.
The Spanish midfielder has now 15 first-team appearances this season and has slowly gained the trust of Jurgen Klopp, who trusted the teenager to feature in his midfield three versus Chelsea on Saturday afternoon. Despite receiving a yellow card during the game, Bajcetic impressed once again and appears to be pushing his way into contention for further opportunities from the off.
Speaking at his press conference on Friday afternoon, Klopp admitted the youngster had been in his 'thoughts' for some time regarding a top-flight start and placed his trust in the 18-year-old for the visit of Graham Potter's side.
IAN DOYLE: Liverpool analysis - Mohamed Salah change is needed as Thiago handed new role
MOMENTS MISSED: Jurgen Klopp and Alisson fume as John Terry sings own Chelsea song in Liverpool away end
Describing his reaction when he discovered the Liverpool boss had included him in his starting eleven, Bajcetic said: "I found out [on Friday]. Obviously we prepare for the game the day before and I found out, I was a bit shocked. I'm so happy to be here and to play and to help the team. I didn't hear it [Klopp's press conference comments], but it's always a great feeling to hear the boss say that. I'm just trying to give my best.
"Yeah, I think it was, to be fair," he continued when asked if a draw was a fair outcome. "Sometimes you felt like somebody will win. There were good moments, bad moments. At the start of the second half, I think we were amazing, we were pressing, having the ball and having chances – but unluckily we didn't score and they had moments. But I think it's a fair result and a great clean sheet for us."
Partnering Bajcetic in midfield versus Chelsea was Naby Keita and Thiago, and it's safe to say a strong relationship has been formed with the latter. Their respective fathers were once team-mates at Celta Vigo and Thiago is doing his bit to recreate a relationship of this nature on Merseyside.
"He's always trying to help me and on the pitch he's talking to me, encouraging me," Bajcetic told liverpoolfc.com. "It's amazing to play with him and so easy as well."
READ NEXT:
- Jurgen Klopp would love the problem Chelsea are dealing with after brutal Liverpool truth exposed
- Jurgen Klopp points to Thiago and Andy Robertson moments in Liverpool 'progress' claim after Chelsea draw
- What Jurgen Klopp did on touchline summed up Liverpool's performance against Chelsea
- Liverpool player ratings as Andy Robertson good but three others struggle against Chelsea
- Steven Gerrard disagrees with James Milner comment after Liverpool draw with Chelsea
