Liverpool midfielder Stefan Bajcetic has announced that he will miss the rest of the 2022-23 season due to an adductor injury.
The 18-year-old, who has enjoyed a breakthrough campaign under Jurgen Klopp, was absent from Wednesday's Champions League loss to Real Madrid due to a stress-induced response.
Bajcetic was not seen in training with the Reds on Tuesday morning, but fears over his availability were briefly erased when he was seen boarding the plane to Madrid in good spirits.
However, Jurgen Klopp ruled the Spaniard out in his pre-game press conference, as Fabinho and James Milner paired up for that 1-0 defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu, which sent Real through 6-2 on aggregate.
Klopp admitted that he could not put a timeframe on Bajcetic's recovery, but the midfielder took to Instagram on Thursday morning to confirm that he would not play again this season.
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"Unfortunately I've picked up an injury that will keep me out until the end of the season," Bajcetic wrote.
"It's very sad to say goodbye to this amazing season for me but I understand this is part of football and will only make me stronger physically and mentally.
"I would also like to say thank you to you reds for all the support through the season and I assure you I will do my best to be back stronger than ever.❤️"
Having established himself as a first-team regular with a series of impressive displays, Bajcetic will end the season with one goal from 19 senior appearances in all competitions, and he was rewarded for his breakthrough with a new contract until 2027 back in January.
The Spain Under-18 international made his competitive debut for the Reds as a substitute in their 9-0 thrashing of Bournemouth in August, and he scored his first goal in their Boxing Day triumph over Aston Villa.
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Bajcetic would go on to start six Premier League games, two FA Cup matches and two EFL Cup contests for Liverpool, as well as playing 85 minutes of their 5-2 loss to Real Madrid at Anfield.
The youngster was named in the starting XI and played 88 minutes of last weekend's defeat to Bournemouth, and his absence adds to a complicated midfield dilemma for Klopp.
As well as Luis Diaz and Calvin Ramsay, Klopp also remains without Thiago Alcantara due to a hip problem, while Jordan Henderson missed Wednesday's loss to Real through illness.
Arthur was not included in Liverpool's Champions League knockout squad as he continues his recovery from thigh surgery, which has restricted him to just 13 minutes of senior action for the Reds this term, but he is in line to make his long-awaited Premier League debut next month.
Liverpool enter the weekend sixth in the Premier League table but are not back in action until a trip to Manchester City on April 1 following the international break.
Ben Knapton
