Stefan Bajcetic takes step closer to Liverpool comeback as strong U21 side beaten by Arsenal

Stefan Bajcetic took a step closer toward his Liverpool return as a strong Under-21s side were beaten 2-0 by Arsenal on Sunday in Premier League 2.

The Reds midfielder played over an hour to build on his 45-minute showing against Sunderland on Monday but was unable to stop Amario Cozier-Duberry's first-half double giving the visitors the win.

Bacjetic was named on the bench for the first team's 2-2 draw with West Ham United on Saturday but continues to await his first senior minutes since a September run-out in a Carabao Cup victory over Leicester.

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Bajcetic has made just one start in 14 months for Jurgen Klopp's side and has been restricted to just 71 minutes this term having been replaced on the hour of the Europa League game at LASK in September before an 11-minute cameo against the Foxes at Anfield the following week.

The teenager made his long-awaited comeback in a 3-0 win over Manchester United's Under-21s at Old Trafford earlier this month and played for the first half of the 2-1 loss to Sunderland before featuring in his second matchday squad for Klopp's seniors on Saturday, having been picked for the 3-0 defeat to Atalanta in the Europa League.

And his hour-long cameo against the young Gunners at the Kirkby base was another sizable stride forward for a midfielder who will be hoping to make an impression on the club's tour of the USA under Arne Slot, who is now expected to be appointed as Klopp's successor.

With Liverpool's senior injury crisis now down to just five players in Thiago Alcantara, Joel Matip, Diogo Jota, Conor Bradley and Ben Doak, Under-21 boss Barry Lewtas was able to name a host of his big-name players at the Kirkby Academy.

Alongside Bajcetic, there were also starts for Jayden Danns, Kaide Gordon, Bobby Clark, James McConnell and Lewis Koumas, players who have all earned senior game-time this term, while there was also a run-out for defender Rhys Williams.

Cozier-Duberry opened the scoring against the run of play before he added a second shortly after when cutting inside from the right on his left foot.

Gordon came closest to responding for the hosts in the first period and was unlucky not to be rewarded with a goal after a fine piece of skill to evade two Arsenal defenders.

Lewis Koumas almost reduced the deficit in the second half but saw his goal-bound effort scrambled clear after he had gone around goalkeeper Brian Okonkwo.