When Liverpool FC face Everton FC in the all crucial Merseyside Derby next week, the Reds will be without Swiss attacker Xherdan Shaqiri.
The winger has not taken part in any of the Liverpool FC group training sessions held at Melwood due to suffering from a muscle injury. Moreover, Shaqiri was not even a part of the intra-squad match held at Anfield recently. His absence had led to many people wondering whether the Swiss international would feature in the upcoming fixture against the Reds arch-rivals Everton FC.
Shaqiri was a part of the Reds side that defeated Everton FC in the reverse fixture held last year in December. The game was won 5-2 by the hosts Liverpool FC, and Shaqiri immensely contributed towards the victory by scoring a goal for the Reds.
That match proved to be Marco Silva’s final game in charge of the Toffees after which has given the sack with Everton FC dropping to near the relegation zone in the Premier League table. After former Everton FC legend Duncan Ferguson was appointed on an interim basis, serial trophy winner Carlo Ancelotti was hired in a shock decision to become the manager of Everton FC. A series of good results have followed since the Italian’s arrival at Goodison Park.
The absence of Shaqiri won’t cause Jurgen Klopp much of a headache. Despite the Swiss international’s brilliance on the field and the player being a reliable super-sub for the Reds, Klopp has a host of attacking options at his disposal.
Mohammad Salah and Sadio Mane are set to start the Merseyside Derby on either flank for the Reds with Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino could be seen warming the bench and getting into the action when required. Moreover, the new Premier League rule that sides could now make as many as five substitutions during a game, means that many of the Reds fringe players have the chance to make an impact.
Shaqiri’s absence in the Merseyside Derby comes amid constant rumours linking the player with a move away from Anfield. Lack of playing time on the pitch is reported to disgruntle the player who seeks greater first-team action.
The player had signed for Liverpool FC in 2018 from Stoke City and went on to win the Champions League in his first season for the Reds. A number of sides such as Galatasaray and Newcastle United FC are believed to be interested in signing Shaqiri in the summer.
