Supporters would be forgiven for having resigned themselves to the expectation that Liverpool's exciting season under Jurgen Klopp's tutelage – the esteemed German's last on Merseyside – would have been derailed over recent weeks following a spate of alarming injuries.
Against Southampton in the FA Cup on Wednesday night, the Anfield side was indeed nursing 14 absences to first-team members due to injury and illness, but Liverpool's able academy players sparkled once again, teenage forwards Lewis Koumas and Jayden Danns both netting to sink Russell Martin's wasteful side.
The latter's emphatic brace off the bench spoke of a prolific career yet to come while the deflection off professional debutant Koumas' opening goal must not detract from the slickness and spirit of the 18-year-old.
The ashes of a remarkable Carabao Cup final over Chelsea last weekend were still smouldering, a joyous contest that saw midfielders Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo fall as a by-product.
Neither are expected to spend extensive time in the medical room but the sheer gravity of Liverpool's injury crisis is belied by the unrelenting progress on the pitch, with James McConnell and Bobby Clark starting in midfield – anchored by the out-of-place Joe Gomez – and performing admirably.
Clark, aged 19, was particularly impressive once again, with his recent efforts proving that he is undoubtedly one of Liverpool's finest teenage talents, if not the Premier League's.
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His polished passing range and prodigious energy are exactly what is needed within a Klopp system, pumping life and mettle into the high-octane system, and while the iconic leader is draping the curtain on his tenure after the close of the campaign, Bajcetic has the attributes to succeed for many years.
An illustrious era might be drawing to a close but Klopp's legacy will endure for many years, with talented players such as Bajcetic and Clark having the makings of first-team regulars at Liverpool to contribute toward the success of the next chapter, whatever that might be.
