According to a recent report by the Daily Star, Liverpool winger Xherdan Shaqiri has kept the door open for a possible move away from Anfield. In a recent interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, as quoted by the Daily Star, the Swiss international said, “I had some good times there, and I couldn’t criticise Inter Milan ever.
“A lot of players joined in that winter, such as Podolski, Kovacic, myself, and a lot of changes were ongoing.
“Go back to Italy? I’m fine at Liverpool, but you never know.”
Xherdan Shaqiri: Liverpool’s Secret Weapon This Season
Shaqiri’s words will disappoint Liverpool supporters as he is slowly turning himself into a fan-favourite at Anfield due to his ability to change a game after coming off the bench. The Swiss talent has mostly been used as a substitute this season, but he has also received his fair share of first-team opportunities in recent weeks as the Reds are still looking for a facilitator in midfield.
The lack of creativity behind the Liverpool frontline has been a significant cause for concern this season, so Jurgen Klopp has often relied on the former Stoke City playmaker to create some opportunities while operating as a free-flowing midfielder. Shaqiri’s recent revelation could mean that he still thinks that his long-term future might not be at Merseyside if he continues to be a bit part player under Klopp.
The Swiss prospect is ambitious and is eager to play regular first-team football just like any other player looking to prove themselves at the highest level. However, there is still a long way to go in this current campaign so it would be foolish to derive any conclusions from a mid-season interview.
What Does The Swiss Winger Add To Klopp’s Team?
Shaqiri is blessed with incredible pace and has the talent to dribble with the ball out of tight areas to wreak havoc in the attacking third of the pitch. He is an exceptional talent who can be a game-changer on his day. However, the Swiss maestro needs to be more consistent with his performances on the pitch if he wants to establish himself as a regular starter at Anfield.
Why Can Liverpool Not Afford To Let Him Leave?
The Merseyside outfit simply cannot afford to lose a player of Shaqiri’s quality so soon after his arrival at Anfield from Stoke City last summer. Jurgen Klopp should try and find ways to keep him content at the club as he could still have a bright career with Liverpool.
With fixtures coming thick and fast during the winter transfer period, there will be a lot of opportunities for Shaqiri to prove his worth in Klopp’s starting XI. So the Reds should hang on to him at least until the end of this campaign before deciding on his long-term future at Merseyside.
