Well, clearly there have been rumours about the interest shown by Liverpool towards Bayern Munich’s talented fringe player Xherdan Shaqiri, especially if they fail to land in England’s new star Adam Lallana.
Shaqiri is a versatile attacking midfielder who can play anywhere behind the striker, a position that is of key importance to Liverpool under Brendan Rodgers. As we talk about squad depth, we have to understand that Liverpool will have the added pressure of performing in the Champions League as well as contending for the league title. Liverpool need a stronger and bigger squad in order to battle the injury periods and give the manager more options to work with. Shaqiri is bound to become world class in a few seasons if played continuously and Rodgers can get him to build his squad for the next season.
The Swiss star has not been utilised to his potential at Bayern Munich. With only 10 starts and 10 substitute appearances in all competitions this season, Shaqiri has been a high profile benchwarmer. Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola is not be blamed fully, especially because the team has an embarrassment of riches in the attacking midfield region in the form of superstars Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery. Shaqiri who likes to operate from the wide areas cannot compete with such players who are the backbone of the team.
Liverpool currently have good first team players in Coutinho and Sterling who are pure attacking players. With their general likeness to play with two strikers upfront, there would be more number of central midfielders and box to box players arranging themselves in a diamond formation and allow the full backs to provide width. Sterling and Coutinho have been rotated to play behind the strike partners, but in the long run next season, an addition of a star like Shaqiri would bring much better quality and composure than both the players.
Shaqiri has been in good form this season whenever he’s been played, as he has notched up 6 goals and 2 assists. He has played in the Champions League and has the winning mentality, and should Liverpool manage to get hold of him, he would fit in perfectly with the system and allow Liverpool to switch from a diamond to a flat 4-4-2 time and again as Shaqiri can provide width as well as vision. With the choice of three flamboyant players in Coutinho, Sterling and Shaqiri, Liverpool will be well equipped with their attacking midfield options.
Elsewhere, there have been rumours about Brendan Rodgers eyeing a move for Ivorian star Wilfried Bony. Bony has had a wonderful debut season with Swansea as he has been the soul of his team with his 16 goals and 4 assists. There have been reports that he wants to play Champions League football and Liverpool, who can guarantee it after long periods of absence from the European stage., would feel that now they can have an upper hand in the transfers. When we consider the prospect of Bony in Liverpool, Rodgers’ idea isn’t misplaced at all. As the Reds prefer to field a strike partnership in the form of Suarez and Sturridge, there is a need of another quality striker for rotation.
Last summer’s recruit Iago Aspas has failed to settle down in the Premier League which has put added pressure on Suarez and Sturridge. Sturridge has been injured quite a lot this season as he had constant niggles throughout the season, forcing Liverpool to change their tactics time and again. Having someone like Bony can reduce the pressure off Sturridge. Having Bony in the team would also give Liverpool a different type of striker whom they may need against physical teams. Bony has strong aerial abilities, as he is a ‘big’ striker, which obviously adds on to the quality and depth of the squad for Liverpool.