Stefan Bajcetic admits Mo Salah lesson in dealing with “cruel” injury layoff – Liverpool FC

Stefan Bajcetic: Mohamed Salah has been a Source of Inspiration Amid Injury Struggles

Stefan Bajcetic has been candid about the challenges posed by his injury setbacks and shared valuable lessons he has gained from Mohamed Salah during his recovery journey.

The 19-year-old has only managed 72 minutes of game time since succumbing to an adductor injury that prematurely ended his 2022/23 season in March.

Before his injury, Bajcetic was making a name for himself in Jurgen Klopp’s midfield, showcasing his talents despite his young age.

Though he briefly returned to action against LASK and Leicester in September, persistent fitness issues have hindered his full return to the pitch.

In discussing his challenges, Bajcetic expressed his determination to push through the injuries and the disappointment he felt upon learning the results of his scan.

“Because I had the same injury before but in the other side, when I was getting the pain, I kind of thought about that it was going to be the same. But in my mind it was like, ‘It can’t be the same, I need to keep playing,’” the midfielder shared on the club’s official website.

“But I did a scan. Scans are very cruel – they always show something. I remember I was at home, they rang me and they told me, ‘you have a stress response.’

“Obviously it was a tough moment but I kind of took it well, I think. I took it as an opportunity to get stronger, improve in some bits. I just tried to stay positive mentally.

“You can’t stop thinking of what I would have done in that moment, I could obviously be doing [what my team-mates were doing if fit].

“So it’s obviously tough. It’s just getting to the gym and counting the days to going back.”

Despite making 19 appearances with the Reds last season, including a start in the Champions League against Real Madrid, Bajcetic’s recovery has been challenging. However, he has found inspiration in Mohamed Salah’s example of maintaining discipline and dedication off the field.

“For example, in the team Mo is very disciplined. He always eats the right things, he’s always in the gym.

“In the days that there’s a tough session and you are very, very tired, those days are the ones where 90 per cent of people say, ‘OK, this was a tough session. I’m going home to rest’.

“He doesn’t. He just goes to the gym, does what he has to do, even though he doesn’t want to.

“That’s something that I have to learn from him. Because I think on the pitch I have a lot of discipline because on the pitch I’m so competitive, I’m the opposite of lazy on the pitch.

“But outside of the pitch there are days where I need to be stronger mentally and say, ‘OK, I don’t want to do it but it’s part of the job’.”