Report: Jurgen Klopp may start 18-year-old Liverpool youngster vs Man City now, he's a 'joy to watch'

By Ben Evans

Liverpool couldn’t have asked for a tougher start to competitive action in the Carabao Cup on Thursday.

They travel to Manchester City, who will be looking to take back a trophy they’ve won so often under Pep Guardiola from the current holders.

A report from Liverpool Echo has described how the squad are preparing for the tie.

Jurgen Klopp has welcomed back some of his most important players after their involvement at the World Cup.

Goalkeeper Alisson Becker, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all back with the squad.

How many of them will play is another matter, having seen varying levels of action in Qatar.

Klopp may favour using more of the players who have been with the team throughout the mid-season break.

The Liverpool Echo now believe young midfielder Stefan Bajcetic could now start in midfield.

The report suggests he could line up alongside Thiago Alcantara and Harvey Elliott in the centre of the park.

Bajcetic has been with the first-team squad all season, making his debut against Bournemouth.

The 18-year-old has already been described as a ‘joy to watch’, and now looks set to face his toughest test in a Liverpool shirt.

Bajcetic could now start vs Manchester City

The young Spaniard – who is also eligible for Serbia – only arrived at Anfield from Celta Vigo in January last year.

Originally part of the under-18 side, Bajcetic has been catching the attention of the first-team coaches all season.

Already believed to be well ahead of schedule in his development, Bajcetic could now start in one of Liverpool’s biggest games.

Manchester City were also heavily affected by their players being involved in the World Cup.

It’s likely neither side will be at full strength, but will know that a win on Thursday gives them a great chance of winning the trophy.

The likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea have already been eliminated from the competition.

Bajcetic’s favoured role in midfield is to be the deepest lying player.

This could mean he faces the unenviable task of marking Kevin de Bruyne on Thursday.

A good performance at The Etihad could seriously enhance Bajcetic’s already growing reputation.