The reasoning for and against sending Stefan Bajčetić out on loan

Liverpool fans were truly introduced to the sky-high potential of Stefan Bajčetić during the winter months of the 2022/23 season when he was forced into action in the midst of a rough campaign for the Reds.

He seized the moment though and quickly became one of Jurgen Klopp's most reliable players at the time as he was still teenager that looked slight in stature but he played with a blend of physicality and technical skills that was wonderful to see in action.

However, since those shining few months, he has been ravaged by injuries and his progress has been severely stunted.

So much so that the club are considering letting him go out on loan this summer despite their being a need for No. 6 depth in the first team. So, let's take a look at both sides and try to decipher which path makes more sense for the player and club.

The Case for going on Loan

While it would be awesome to assume that young Stefan will be able to pick up where he left off nearly a year and a half ago following some of the serious fitness problems he's encountered, it's also the least likely scenario.

He is still so young and is growing into his body that a loan move with guaranteed minutes for him might be the best path back to the level we saw him at if not above it.

Granted, his propensity for snapping into his tackles might lend itself to further injury. However, that is a big part of his game that I particularly love, so I hope he does not remove it completely.

A move to one of several La Liga clubs that are reportedly pursuing him could be a smoother transition as the game in Spain is much less physical. This would allow Bajcetic to regain his overall fitness and gain valuable experience at the top of the game.

A loan move to a mid-table Premier League club would give him the chance to toughen his overall game and could be a showcase for Arne Slot to see what he can offer the Reds against the same competition.

The Case for keeping him at Anfield

On the flip side, there is so much excitement around the young Spaniard that he would be in one of the most welcoming and supportive environments he could find anywhere.

Do not underestimate the power of a healthy mind and spirit in professional athletes as it allows them to tap into reserves they might not have known about or it gives them a little extra boost to put in another rep or two.

Bajčetić could benefit from those extra reps as he continues shaping out his game and his physical tools going forward in his career.

It's clear the club loves him as he is only being discussed in loan terms while seemingly every other Liverpool youngster is up for sale at the right price.

The way Slot and the Reds want to play would very much suit the type of defensive midfielder that Stefan is.

He is so calm on the ball and his short turns to release himself or others from a pressing opponent can be key when facing midfield battles throughout the season. His tactical knowhow and very good positioning mean he could fit with a variety of players at the base of the midfield.

Finally, if he does get injured again (Hoping he never does) I'm sure the club will want their physio's and staff to be the crew to take care of him. They know his body best and how to get it right again.