Stefan Bajcetic could have a very bright future in front of him at Liverpool - just like Steven Gerrard did.
That's the view of former Anfield favourite Patrik Berger who was delighted to watch his old club get back to winning ways against Everton, with a performance that was much more in tune with what he has come to expect from a side under Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
The retired Czech international, who starred at Euro '96 before joining the Reds from Borussia Dortmund, was also pleased to see some familiar faces back in the team, which has given hope for a red resurgence in the second half of the season.
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Speaking with Best Sport Betting Canada, Berger said: "I was absolutely delighted with Liverpool’s win in the Merseyside Derby. It was very close to the Liverpool we know. They played really well and deserved to win the game, without a doubt.
"Liverpool have been struggling with injuries from the beginning of the season, so the return of Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz will be a relief. So we know they are just coming back now. Van Dijk was back on the bench, Firmino is also fit as well as Jota. They also have Stefan Bajcetic - who looked amazing.
"Things are going back to normal for Liverpool and the way they played last night is exactly what we want to see from Liverpool. They will definitely finish in the top four if they continue to play this way."
Teenager Bajcetic was a standout performer for the Reds, putting in his most accomplished midfield performance since breaking into the first team. And on this evidence, Berger thinks that the sky's the limit for the young Spaniard.
Berger said: "Stefan Bajcetic is only 18. However, the way he was playing last night was as if he had all the experience in the world. He was confident and great on the ball. Tactically, he is very good. He's tall, and his passing is good. If he can work hard I don't see a reason why he couldn't be one of the key midfield players at Liverpool. Steven Gerrard also came through at only 18 years of age.
"Based on last night’s performance, he has the ability to play for Liverpool for a long time."
Having been widely praised for his showing against the Blues, Bajcetic could now be looking at a sustained run of starts in the first team, with a trip to Newcastle to come on Saturday before Anfield welcomes European Champions Real Madrid to Merseyside on Tuesday for what is shaping up to be an epic rerun of last year's Champions League final at the Round of 16 stage.
Already out of both domestic cups and only ninth in the Premier League, it has been a season of disappointment for Liverpool so far, but Berger insists that European football's elite competition is a different animal and Klopp's side has a great chance to atone for the Paris defeat over two legs this time around.
Berger added: "The Champions League is a completely different competition because you have so many games in knockout stages in the Champions League. You play home and away, so in two games, you can kind of compete against anybody and I have a feeling that even if Real Madrid officially is the best team in the world at the moment, Liverpool have a chance to get through if they can continue to play the way they did last night against Everton. If all their injured players can return to the squad, I don't see why not."
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