Historic moment in Liverpool's win over Ajax at Anfield

Youth defender writes his name into Liverpool history

13/09/2022, 10:11 PM +00:00

On the second day of the UEFA Champions League, Liverpool had a great night in front of their home fans not only for getting back to winning ways after that painful defeat to Napoli, but also for maintaining their hegemony over Ajax since 1966, with the 2-1 win being capped by a last-minute substitution from their 17-year-old Spanish-Serbian gem.

After an intensity-filled 85 minutes, the game at Anfield would see resolution after Joel Matip's header for 2-1, allowing the Reds to not only manage the final minutes but also open up the opportunity for a player from the bench to make his debut in Europe's top competition. At just 17 years of age, Stefan Bajčetić came on for Thiago Alcántara just seconds after the final whistle, but it didn't matter as the Spanish-Serbian made English club history.

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Even if only for a few seconds, Bajčetić was able to take the field in his team's victory, writing his name in the Reds' history books as the fourth youngest player to appear in European competition, being surpassed only by Michael Owen, Raheem Sterling and Phil Charnock, the latter having had the least luck in his career wandering around various clubs in England in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Stefan Bajčetić at 17 years 10 months and 20 days, stands as one of Liverpool's most exciting youth projects, with the Spanish-Serbian expected to produce results that can at least match or even surpass those achieved by current Chelsea player Raheem Sterling, while still at the top of all youth debutants in Reds history, England's Michael Owen.

Who is Stefan Bajčetić

The Real Club Celta de Vigo academy-trained defender remained in Spain until January 2021, signing for Liverpool at the age of 16 to be assigned to the Under-18s. His first formal contract with the Reds was made in November last year, renewed a few weeks ago, and although his playing time still remains at Under-21 level, Bajčetić has already made his Premier League debut in his side's win over AFC Bournemouth.