“I committed numerous errors during my time at Liverpool. I failed to put in the necessary effort to remain at the club, and I deeply regret every aspect of it.” – Astrit Ajdarevic reflects on his tenure at Liverpool.

Even the most dedicated Liverpool supporter might not recognize the name ‘Astrit Ajdarevic’. A former prospect for the Reds, Ajdarevic, who briefly represented Albania at the international level, arrived at the club in January 2007 following two promising trials.

However, despite his potential, he never made an official appearance for Liverpool. After just two years, he moved on, joining Leicester City after his contract expired following a successful trial and loan spell.

Arriving at Liverpool at the tender age of 17, Ajdarevic, now 34, reflects fondly on his time with the Reds but acknowledges that he may not have put in sufficient effort to carve out a successful career at the club.

“My most remarkable experience was at Liverpool because I was only 17 years old when I joined that illustrious club,” he recounted to Tribal Football. “I made numerous mistakes during my time there because I naively believed that my talent alone would guarantee success.

“However, I soon realized that talent alone wasn’t enough; consistent hard work was essential to achieving my goals.

“The greatest player I had the privilege to play alongside was undoubtedly Steven Gerrard; he was simply exceptional. His enduring success was no fluke but a testament to his exceptional skill and dedication.

“During my stint at Liverpool, I had the opportunity to train alongside Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres, and I witnessed firsthand the level of dedication and professionalism they displayed every day.

“I firmly believe that if I had been more patient and committed to putting in the extra effort, I could have remained at Liverpool and continued playing at the highest level.”

After departing Liverpool, Ajdarevic embarked on a journey through various clubs, including Leicester City, where he was part of the League One title-winning side in 2009. Despite his nomadic career, he briefly returned to England with Charlton Athletic in January 2014 before finding success with AEK Athens and Djurgardens in Greece and Sweden, respectively, winning titles in 2018 and 2019.

However, at the age of 31, Ajdarevic retired from professional football after experiencing relegation with Swedish lower division side Akropolis. Now active as a pundit in Sweden and serving as a sporting director at Nacka FC, he harbors aspirations of achieving success in European football, albeit in a different capacity than as a player. While Liverpool fans may not recall him as a player, his post-football career endeavors could potentially reintroduce him to the radar of those associated with the Reds.

“When considering my best experiences, I’ve had several enjoyable ones in places like Greece, Sweden, and England,” he stated. “However, if I had to pick, I’d highlight my time at AEK Athens in Greece and Charlton Athletic in the UK.

“Now, I’m here in Sweden, working as a TV pundit covering the Champions League and Serie A. Additionally, I’m involved with a club in the third division where I serve as the sporting director.

“Our aim is to make history with this club, and I’m hopeful we can clinch the league title this season. At the moment, I’m focused on these endeavors because I sought some tranquility. After all, I have a family with three kids, so I need to consider them as well, not just myself.

“My plan for the future is to continue improving and striving for the highest echelons of European football.”