Liverpool star dubbed 'best player' by Mo Salah set to upset club chiefs

star Stefan Bajcetic could be at risk of upsetting bosses at RB Salzburg after hinting that he will snub an extension to his loan deal in favour of playing for Spain. The midfielder is on loan at the Austrian club, who are managed by Jurgen Klopp's former assistant Pep Lijnders.

Bajcetic will face a crunch decision in the summer. Salzburg have qualified for the Club World Cup and the 20-year-old has the option of extending his temporary deal into the summer to play at the tournament.

That is because Liverpool are not one of the clubs competing in the revamped FIFA competition next year and are willing to allow Bajcetic to stay at Salzburg. However, the former Celta Vigo youngster could take matters into his own hands.

Spain play in the U21 European Championship at the same time and Bajcetic is keen to go. He said that he has never played in an international tournament before and would jump at the opportunity.

"Being on loan at Salzburg and Liverpool not going to the Club World Cup, I have the option to choose between returning to Liverpool or playing the Club World Cup with Salzburg," Bajcetic said.

"If I go back to Liverpool, I have the option to come to the U21 European Championship and that would be something I would really like to do.

"I missed the Olympics and European Championship last year due to injury, I have never been to a tournament like this with the national team, I am really looking forward to it."

Bajcetic enjoyed an excellent start to his Liverpool career in 2022-23. Playing for large parts of the season as an 18-year-old, he made 11 Premier League appearances that term and scored his first Reds goal.

He won the club's Player of the Month in January 2023 and shone in a Merseyside derby against Everton. After that game, Mohamed Salah said the young talent had been the club's best player.

The Egyptian said: "He's a great player and person, he always tries to work hard. Since he started playing for us, he has been our best player maybe, so hopefully he keeps that confidence and keeps going."

Bajcetic missed the majority of last season with a calf injury, hindering his progress. Arne Slot sent him out on loan to ensure he continued receiving regular first-team football.