When Xherdan Shaqiri was brought on to replace Roberto Firmino in Liverpool FC’s last game which turned out to be a defeat for the Reds against Arsenal away from home, it was the Swiss international’s first appearance for the Merseyside club in six months.
Shaqiri has been on the fringes of Jurgen Klopp’s Premier League-winning squad over the course of the current season. The 28-year old, although a squad-rotation option for Klopp at Anfield, has been missing in action on a constant basis for the Reds over the past year.
The former Bayern Munich and Inter Milan star has appeared in just seven Premier League fixtures this season for Liverpool FC, which are truly appalling stats for a player of Shaqiri’s calibre. The sole goal in league football scored by the winger for the Reds this season came against Everton FC last December which was a memorable 5-2 victory for Shaqiri’s side.
And now with the 2019-20 campaign for Liverpool FC nearing its end, there is considerable speculation that the 28 year old Shaqiri could be heading towards the exit door of Anfield. Rumours persist of the Swiss international wanting to leave the Reds with the aim of getting more first-team opportunities next season.
It is no doubt that the extremely talented Shaqiri is of significant value to Jurgen Klopp’s side, as witnessed by the superb performances shown by the attacker since signing for the Reds. The player’s arrival at Anfield was subject to Liverpool FC triggering the Swiss international’s £13.5 million release clause with his former side Stoke City.
The money paid by the Reds for Shaqiri was an absolute bargain deal on Klopp’s part considering the inflated state of the transfer market and the 28-year old’s prior experience of playing at the highest level. Moreover, following Liverpool FC’s defeat in the 2018 UEFA Champions League final to Real Madrid, there had been fingers point towards lack of attacking options at Klopp’s disposal in his squad.
The 2018-19 season saw Shaqiri being integrated into the thick of things at Liverpool FC by Klopp. The Swiss international was frequently given starts both in the Premier League as well as the Champions League, and the 28-year old impressed the Reds’ supporters with his performances.
Shaqiri’s first season since moving to the Merseyside was largely a success for the winger. Moreover, Liverpool FC too enjoyed a remarkable season that was capped off with the English club clinching the UEFA Champions League trophy in Madrid in June last year.
Shaqiri, who has been capped 82 times by his national team, was in fantastic form for the Reds during his initial season at Anfield. The player appeared in 24 Premier League games, largely restricted to coming off the bench in the final third of the game, however, notched up six goals and three assists in the process.
Among the six goals scored by Shaqiri in the 2018-19 Premier League campaign, two came against Manchester United in a memorable 3-1 victory for the Reds at Anfield. The 28-year old was brought on by Klopp with the scoreline level at 1-1, and the winger put two goals past David de Gea in quick succession for his brace. Following the match, then Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho was given the sack by the owners of the Red Devils.
Another monumental game for Shaqiri in his first season at Anfield was the second leg of the semi-final clash against FC Barcelona. The Swiss international again came off the bench and delivered a wonderful cross into the box which was headed by Gini Wijnaldum past Marc-André ter Stegen for Liverpool FC’s third goal of the night.
However, fast forward to today, the 28-year old Shaqiri has been unable to replicate his form witnessed last season in the current campaign. Despite the Reds being crowned the Premier League champions after a 30-year gap, the Swiss winger has been almost a pariah in the club’s squad.
A calf injury sustained earlier this year curtailed Shaqiri’s time on the pitch to a large extent. Moreover, the temporary suspension of the Premier League meant that the winger was absent from the Liverpool FC matchday squad for nearly six months before coming off the bench against Arsenal earlier this week.
There is a great deal of uncertainty regarding Shaqiri’s future as a Reds’ player beyond the current season. With first-team involvement coming his way being sparse, the 28-year old attacker may choose to leave the newly crowned Premier League champions for another club which can grant him more playing minutes on the pitch.
If the event of the Swiss international wanting to make a move away from Liverpool FC, there is no doubt many top clubs would be willing to sign the player. However, it remains up to Shaqiri himself as to whether extend his stay at Anfield for another season under Jurgen Klopp and patiently wait for opportunities to come his way, or leave the Reds for a fresh start elsewhere.
