KEY POINTS

  • Liverpool defeated Aston Villa 3-1 on Monday
  • It was Liverpool's seventh league win of the season
  • Stefan Bajcetic scored his maiden senior goal

Jurgen Klopp heaped praise on Stefan Bajcetic after the teenager scored his maiden senior goal in Liverpool's 3-1 win over Aston Villa on Monday.

Bajcetic came off the bench in the second half and netted Liverpool's third goal at Villa Park. The Reds resumed the 2022-23 campaign, after the Qatar World Cup break, with an excellent win, which was their seventh victory this Premier League season.

"He's cheeky as hell and is not worried about anything. He just plays football and he can do that exceptionally well. He had a football-playing father (Srdan Bajcetic) so the genes are there but also the attitude, awareness and match intelligence. It's a big pleasure to work with these boys," Klopp said in a post-match interview Monday.

At 18 years and 65 days, Bajcetic became the second youngest Spanish scorer in the Premier League after Cesc Fabregas netted a goal for Arsenal against Blackburn in August 2004 (17 years 113 days), according to Opta Joe.

Bajcetic also became Liverpool's third-youngest Premier League scorer behind only Michael Owen (17 years 143 days) and Raheem Sterling (17 years 317 days).

"We could have scored the third goal much earlier but it's fine, and I loved the situation around the third goal," added Klopp.

Spanish defensive midfielder moved from his hometown club Celta Vigo to Liverpool in November last year, signing his first professional contract with the Premier League side at the age of 17. Soccer runs in his family, with his father, Srdan Bajcetic, representing Serbia at the international level.

Meanwhile, Andy Robertson, who set up Mohamed Salah's opening goal on Monday, registered a record assist. The Scottish left-back now has the most assists in Premier League history (54).

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp celebrates on the Anfield pitch

"During the break, I just wanted to try to get back and beat it. First game back, it's always nice. Look, I'm not really into individual things and things like that – I'm all for the team. But when you do stuff like that and you're in the Premier League against some unbelievable defenders, it's always nice to put yourself at the top there," Robertson said after Liverpool's victory.

Liverpool have 25 points from 15 games and are sixth in the 2022-23 Premier League table. The Reds are a point away from top four and 15 points behind leaders Arsenal.

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