The second best midfielder in Europe is BACK at Liverpool

One of the best midfielders in Europe in two key metrics is now back at Liverpool.

The midfield is probably the one area where Arne Slot's side is the strongest. Sure, the Reds could do with a Carlos Baleba or Adam Wharton, but any team could.

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The important distinction is that they don't necessarily need them. Would they make the team stronger? Yes. Do Liverpool need them to win league titles? No.

What Slot already has at his disposal is strong enough. This might change in the future and next summer Wharton, Baleba or someone else could be a genuine target for Liverpool.

For this season though, the club's head-coach has plenty of options in the pecking order. In fact, Slot's got a little bit of head scratching to do in order to determine how Liverpool's best midfield looks on paper.

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Florian Wirtz is guaranteed to start. But who plays behind him? Alexis Mac Allister? Ryan Gravenberch? Dominik Szoboszlai?

You can only pick two, and at this moment in time that's a really difficult selection.

There's Curtis Jones as well. Wataru Endo, who can practically play anywhere. Not to mention Trey Nyoni, who has shown in pre-season he's got more than enough talent and potential to make his mark in the first team in this campaign.

Beyond them in the pecking order there is another player who is pretty much a luxury to have for Slot.

Stefan Bajcetic did not get a lot of playing time in pre-season due to recovering from an injury but he's still one of the most talented young midfielders in Europe, and he's now back training with the club.

Why Stefan Bajcetic was one of the best midfielders in Europe last season

Bajcetic returned to training with Liverpool on Wednesday afternoon, and he was even seen back out on the pitch after a long injury.

Him being back at the club is great news after his spells on loan at Las Palmas and Red Bull Salzburg. People quickly forget that he has been long-regarded as one of the best young midfielders in Europe.

Barcelona were even interested in him last year before his move to Salzburg.

He's still only 20-years-old, and he will now be spending the first half of the campaign training with Slot's first team and hoping for some opportunities to catch the eye as well during what is going to be a busy period for the Reds.

Having Bajcetic as part of the depth of options is a real luxury for Slot. At Last Palmas, he showed that in some of his defensive metrics he can be one of the best midfielders in Europe's top five leagues.

In fact in the last calendar year Bajcetic has averaged the second-most successful defensive actions (12.82 per 90) among midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues.

He also ranked 4th for interceptions (6.45 per 90).

This just showcases what a talent Bajcetic is. He could more than play a role for Liverpool, considering he is eligible to play in the Champions League as well, having been registered in the B-squad.

The fact that he's now back training with the first team is great news, too. If he can overcome his injury problems, there's a player with massive potential there.

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