Mohamed Salah nearly stunned young teammate Stefan Bacjetic into silence by calling him Liverpool's 'best player' during wholesome interview.
Jurgen Klopp's team needed a win in the Merseyside derby on Monday night, having not picked up a single league win at the beginning of 2023.
They went into the game expecting a battle against an Everton side seemingly buoyed by the appointment of Sean Dyche as their new manager.
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However, it wasn't to be that way at all and the Reds didn't have to be at their best to win the game pretty comfortably, ending with a 2-0 win.
Salah ended a run that stretched back to Boxing Day, and a win over Aston Villa, to register his first goal in the Premier League in six games, only scoring a very controversial goal against Wolves in the FA Cup in the interim.
The Egyptian was a constant threat upfront but it was 18-year-old Bajectic who stole the show with his performance and earned himself the Player of the Match award.
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After the final whistle, the pair were interviewed by Sky Sports and Salah had some huge praise for the youngster.
"Since he started playing with us, he's our best player, maybe," the very impressed 30-year-old said, "Hopefully he stays with that confidence and just keeps going."
Clearly the Spanish teenager was pretty excited with where the praise was coming from, replying, "Wow, he's Mo Salah, so, probably one of the best players, like ever in Liverpool history. So it's nice to hear a legend say that to you."
"Oh my god. This was the absolute CUTEST thing EVER," one fan said, "Stefan's face LIT. UP. He was asked how that felt and he just laughed sheepishly. PROTECT THIS KID."
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"Bajcetic stood there with a big smile listening to praise from Mo Salah, what a moment for the lad," another added.
A third emotionally replied, "Tears in me eyes man."
"He is a role model for all the rising youth. He is truly a king," a fourth posted.
"Stefan Bajcetic just absolutely loving life at the moment," journalist Sam Tighe noted, "Big smile on his face in the post-match interviews. More than happy to root for this kid; he’s realising his dream right here, right now."
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Another fan pointed out, "The most confident player in the world on the pitch n then he’s stumbling and shaking over his words. I just wanna hug him."
And fans were also besotted by the Spanish youngsters accent, with one fan saying, "Bajcetic with that Serbian-Spanish-Scouse accent. You love to see it."
A second surmised, "Bajcetic has some kind of Galician / Rice Lane crossover accent."
After being left embarrassed by the praise of his teammate, the midfielder was asked if it was the best performance he'd been part of and he revealed his surprise at going from under 18s football to the Merseyside derby so quickly.
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"Yeah, I would say so," he said of it being the best performance, "I was really proud and buzzing to be in the derby, we all know it was a very important win for us and now hopefully keep going.
"It's crazy to be fair, I always say a year ago I was playing under 18s football and now playing at Anfield and that's happened in just one year, it's so crazy but I'm enjoying it a lot."
It's no surprise with such amazing praise from a player as good as Salah...
Featured Image Credit: Sky SportsTopics: Football, Mohamed Salah, Premier League, Liverpool, Everton
