Liverpool have the NEXT Xabi Alonso | OneFootball

Think about the last great Spanish midfielder to have left a lasting legacy at Anfield and you probably have to go back to Alonso. Sure, Thiago was great - there's no doubt he's world-class.

But Thiago's presence at Liverpool was so fleeting - he spent more time in the treatment room.

So, really it's not since Alonso that Liverpool have had a Spanish midfielder who could really make a difference in the starting line-up.

Now though in Bajcetic, at Las Palmas we are starting to see signs that he could follow in the Alonso's footsteps.

Bajcetic has showed his class against the likes of Atletico and Real Madrid and Barcelona.

He's been stepping up for the Spanish side fighting relegation and in the process also showing a lot of qualities that could be useful to Arne Slot's first team.

Among those is his ability to read the game. Something that Alonso was renowned for and is now present in Bajcetic as well.

He averages the most interceptions (7 per 90) among midfielders in La Liga this season as per Wyscout.

Defensively, he's showcased a lot of qualities. He's been tasked with a lot of defensive work because of the team that he plays for and he's stepped up.

He also averages the most successful defensive actions (13.57 per 90).

But he's not just a defensive player. Like Alonso, he likes to manipulate the ball and dictate the game from midfield. He can switch the play averaging 6.25 long pases per 90 and he will always look forward to make passes averaging 12.7 forward passes per 90.

That ability to make line breaking passes is going to be essential for Liverpool in the absence of Alexander-Arnold.

first team in pre-season again after returning from his loan spell.