Liverpool are in need of reinforcements all across the pitch thanks to the ever increasing injury list. They missed out on their target Mohamed Salah, who decided to join Chelsea instead, and Bayern Munich winger Xherdan Shaqiri has emerged as an alternative to the Egyptian. Here’s a look at three reasons why Liverpool should quit dallying and sign the Swiss starlet.
Shaqiri has the ability to play on either wings. He started as a left winger for boyhood club FC Basel and has played for Bayern mainly as a right winger, and is also capable of playing through the middle just behind the central striker. He has made a name for himself with his raw pace, both on and off the ball. Despite his tender age, he has the ability to dictate the tempo of play, and his composure on the ball allows him to pick out the best options available.
He has shown maturity beyond his years in his short career, and his direct running style and a box of tricks have made him one of the most sought-after youngsters in European football. He has created 54 chances, including 5 assists, in 34 league appearances in the last one and half seasons, displaying his ability to make things happen when he’s on the ball. His passing accuracy is around the 85% mark, which is decent for a creative player.
(Stats via Squawka)
Shaqiri has an outstanding technique and balance, and has the ability to strike at goal even with a zero back-lift. He can take shot from outside the box, as well as get into dangerous areas on the far post. His diminutive stature limits his aerial threat but he more than makes up for it by taking up intelligent positions in order to beat his marker.
He has scored 34 goals in 186 club appearances in all competitions since the 2009-10 season, when he was promoted to Basel’s senior team. He scored 23 goals in the 130 appearances he made for the Swiss giants, and was one of the key players for them. He’s also scored 12 goals in 43 international appearances at all age levels, a very good record for a winger.
(Stats via TransfrMarkt)
Shaqiri ticks all the right boxes as far as club owners FSG are concerned- he’s young, talented and has good resale value. Most of Liverpool’s transfers in the past couple of seasons have been directed by this philosophy, with Kolo Toure being the only exception to the rule. Shaqiri’s career seems to have stagnated at the Allianz Arena owing to mixture of injuries and the outstanding form of Arjen Robben and Frank Ribery, and he has struggled to feature as often as he would have liked.
Manager Brendan Rodgers’ requirements are simple- he wants a player with good technical ability, an excellent work rate, positive attitude and can make an immediate impact for the team, and Shaqiri seems like the perfect fit. Shaqiri’s movement is one of his biggest strengths- he moves laterally looking for possession rather than in straight lines- and is a player who is very difficult to pin down. He has the willingness to run at players with the ball at his feet, can go both outside as well as inside the full-back and can operate in tiny pockets of space.
Bayern would be reluctant to let him leave, and so a loan deal seems the likely option, but Liverpool would be wise to insert a clause for a permanent transfer in the summer.
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