Liverpool opinion: Reds looking to offload Xherdan Shaqiri – Good move?

According to a report in Metro, Premier League giants Liverpool are looking to offload Xherdan Shaqiri and replace him with Villarreal winger Samuel Chukwueze during this summer transfer window.

Shaqiri only arrived in Merseyside from relegated Stoke City last summer for a release clause fee of £13m. (h/t BBC)

Despite his impact in certain games this season, it is believed that the Swiss maestro is not on the same page with Jurgen Klopp in respects to what the manager wants from his forward players. (h/t Metro)

The Reds are not expected to be very busy in this transfer window unless they get high-profile deals which can offer them a chance to build a proper squad able to challenge the first XI, which is a very tough thing to do. (h/t Metro)

If a good offer comes, Shaqiri may be sold this summer, with lighting-paced Chukwueze touted to be a perfect backup in the wide attacking areas. (h/t Metro)

However, here’s why Liverpool should keep hold of the Switzerland international and can afford to buy the Villarreal man irrespective:

Shaqiri is good enough as a backup and Chukwueze should come in as an addition

Since late January, Shaqiri hasn’t featured enough even from the bench, let alone starting games. But, till then the Swiss star had done some good bits in certain games to convince that he can be trusted to do a particular job in the final third if required.

For example, coming off the bench and scoring a match-winning brace against Manchester United was very good while netting the game-clinching goal at Burnley was crucial too.

With him in the team, Klopp went with a 4-2-3-1 formation, which helped massively in breaking down deep-defending teams in the first half of the season.

Shaqiri made an impact on the game from the start against Barcelona at Anfield.

Hence, even though he may not be the best in terms of playing Klopp’s pressing game and helping the team out defensively on a regular basis, the 27-year-old has enough qualities with the ball at his feet to warrant him a place as a backup in this team.

So, if the Reds want to add Chukwueze to the squad, they should do it by keeping Shaqiri. It is because having two wide attackers on the bench ready to unleash whenever required would add more substance to the squad depth.

It would also help Klopp to sub off either of Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane if either or both of them have a bad day in the office.

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Conclusion

Therefore, everything points towards the conclusion that Liverpool should buy Chukwueze, but not sell Shaqiri. They have earned enough funds to add to the squad, rather than chop and replace.