Since Stefan Baisetic has established himself as a reliable option for Jurgen Klopp in the first team, Liverpool are preparing a new contract for the young man.
Baisetic signed a long-term contract with the club only in August, but even then few could have predicted his rapid rise in popularity.
The Spaniard, who arrived from Celta Vigo on a £220,000 deal in 2020, has been used regularly throughout pre-season training, although he was expected to return to action with the under-21 squad after that.
But problems in the midfield ranks, along with the outstanding progress of Baisetic, have led to Klopp playing a key role in recent weeks.
The Times reports that after two consecutive matches with Wolverhampton and Chelsea, which helped keep two clean matches, Baysetic is in line for contract improvements.
There are no details on the duration of any extension or salary increase, but the 18-year-old is likely to receive conditions more appropriate to his current position.
However, Liverpool will be keen not to give away their number 43 too soon, as the structure of any new contract will almost certainly include a number of performance-based incentives.
In any case, the news of another deal with Baisetic, just five months after he took up the pen for the last time, suggests that great hopes are pinned on him in the future.
Tyler Morton, a 20-year-old who is currently on loan at Blackburn, has also recently extended his Liverpool contracts and the pair are likely to take on a first-team role under Klopp in the coming seasons.
Bajcetic could even be in line to retain his starting spot, as the coach insisted that choosing him over Fabinho for the Premier League draw with Chelsea was “not difficult.”
“He could have played earlier, but he was injured for two games. He’s made huge strides, he’s a smart kid, a really good footballer,” Klopp said.
“Imagine, I wouldn’t play it! Imagine that.
“What do you have to do as a footballer, other than to play in an outstanding way, and then the coach tells you: “It was good, my friend, but back in the closet!””.
