By Dan Clubbe
While life after Jurgen Klopp continues to move ahead at a pace as Arne Slot’s Reds continue to impress, for two former members of Klopp’s successful team Pep Lijnders and Vitor Matos, their starts to their own new roles in Austria have been far from as seamless.
Going their separate ways after many years together on Merseyside, Lijnders and Klopp will soon be somewhat reunited as the German prepares to take on a new role in the New Year with the Red Bull football group.
However, for now, it’s more about focussing on winning games of football for Lijnders as the Dutch coach attempts to forge his own managerial path having helped mastermind Premier League, Champions League and domestic cup triumphs as an assistant manager at Anfield.
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Seemingly a perfect step for Klopp’s trusted lieutenant, Red Bull Salzburg had been dethroned for the first time in a decade by Sturm Graz and already possessed many of the tools with which to take back their crown before signing Liverpool youngster Bobby Clark and taking the supremely talented Stefan Bajcetic on a season-long loan.
Add to that the philosophy of the Red Bull sides, ‘intensity’, and it felt like a match made in heaven that Lijnders simply couldn’t resist.
Despite the apparent perfect fit, Lijnders and co have struggled for form both in Europe and in the Austrian Bundesliga, whilst Clark has made 15 appearances providing two assists and Bajcetic 14 without scoring or assisting, albeit the emphasis on such numbers isn’t huge for the 20-year-old Spanish midfielder.
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In order to check on the progress of Bajcetic and the former Liverpool men, I headed to Salzburg to watch the Liverpool gem as Salzburg faced TSV Hartberg for the second time in a week for a Bundesliga doubleheader.
Clark was named in the starting XI but it was only a spot on the bench for Bajcetic who continues to seek match sharpness and regular first-team football following an injury-hit 2023/24 campaign.
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After an even opening 25 minutes, with Salzburg just about edging the balance of play, the hosts were gifted a chance to score from the penalty spot only for the opportunity to be wasted when a poorly struck effort was comfortably saved.
Clark’s fancy footwork and intelligent movement was often enough to get himself out of tight spaces, but as was the general sense with Lijnders’ side all too often the final bit was missing in the first half.
Moments later it was 1-0 however when Nicolas Capaldo cut inside from the right before firing home in style, Mo Salah style.
Literally with the next attack, it was 2-0 as Oscar Gloukh tried his luck from the other side and once again the left-footed effort flew in beyond the goalkeeper.
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Shortly after the half-time break, it was 3-0 when Capaldo rose highest at the back post to nod home in the opposite direction and firmly put the home side in the driving seat.
Having undergone a vigorous warm-up for much of the half, Lijnders called the Spanish midfielder back Bajcetic finally came on before the hour mark.
Wearing the number eight on his back, the Liverpool loanee was certainly deployed in a slightly more advanced role than previously witnessed during his days as a lone six under Klopp, instead partnering Mamady Diambou on the right side of a midfield pivot.
Still with socks rolled down, the former Celta Vigo academy gem was still always a willing option in possession, manipulating the ball at his feet before often deciding to keep it simple with proceedings more or less under complete control.
More attacking impetus came from Salzburg and a lovely team move was well finished by substitute Adam Daghim to make it 4-0 and put the result well and truly beyond doubt.
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With the clock entering its final moments, there was still time for Bajcetic to show his class with a cheeky no-look backheel pass inside to release Clark, although the move ultimately broke down it was evidence of the youngster’s poise, vision and ability to make things happen in midfield.
Overall it was an uncomplicated and in many ways typical Bajcetic of old performance as reflected in the match stats pack, completing 14 out of 14 passes, winning two out of two ground duels and completing one out of one dribble, as well as adding two clearances and one interception to yet another step in the right path towards full match fitness.
The game finished without any alarms for Red Bull Salzburg as Lijnders, Clark, Bajcetic and Matos got back to winning ways in style in front of their home support.
Pep Lijnders
After the match, I spoke to Pep about Bajcetic and just how he is getting back on track in Austria…
“When he first came into the side (at Liverpool), Stefan was such a linker of the game, he can link a game quickly between defence and attack with aggression around him, but he was such a long time injured, such a long time out, now he is coming back and getting minutes, playing on the senior level again.
“You can see glimpses, moments, he is an outstanding player, we are happy that he is with us and that he can have this experience of a loan, he’s doing well.”
Pep also spoke about Salzburg’s participation in next year’s FIFA Club World Cup during the post-match press conference…
“It’s unbelievable that Salzburg is there, we should all be really proud of that. I’ve been there with Liverpool, and we won it, it’s an unbelievable tournament and I can tell you now that the games against teams we don’t know will not be easy.”
