Xherdan Shaqiri has been the subject of two loan bids this transfer window from both Sevilla and AS Roma. However, Liverpool rejected both. Journalists such as Paul Joyce and James Pearce have suggested that he could leave for a fee of €30 million in summer.
Xherdan Shaqiri Required At Liverpool
Xherdan Shaqiri Provides Squad Depth
Shaqiri is not a player who is one of the first names on the team sheet. However, he is a player who provides proven quality whenever he does feature. Liverpool saw his quality in the Champions League semi-final last season when he assisted Georginio Wijnaldum for the third goal against Barcelona. Shaqiri is a proven talent who can step up when Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino are injured.
He adds to a strong bench alongside Divock Origi, Takumi Minamino and Adam Lallana.
Summer Move On The Cards
Shaqiri has found his game time limited at Anfield, though this is not a reflection on him. It is an unfortunate case of him not being Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino or Sadio Mane. The other attackers in Liverpool’s squad also suffer from this problem.
It is understandable on Shaqiri’s part if he wishes to leave Anfield. He certainly has the quality to be starting regularly elsewhere. His game time will likely become even more limited once new signing Minamino is properly integrated into the squad. It is also likely that Liverpool will sign new attackers in the summer.
However, Klopp will remain strict in the stance that he will remain at Liverpool during this transfer window. It is highly likely that Liverpool will rotate the squad for the FA Cup and Shaqiri will certainly get games in that competition. He will also become important if one of the main front three suffer injuries during the latter half of the season.
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