Liverpool have been busy in the transfer this summer, snapping up the likes of Fabinho and Naby Keita. The latest recruit is Switzerland playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri, who joined the Reds from Stoke for a fee in the region of £13.5million.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp described the move as ‘a no-brainer’. The Merseysiders signed the playmaker on the cheap due to a release clause in his contract with the Potters.
For a player of his quality and experience, Shaqiri could turn out to be one of the best signings of the summer transfer window.
Shaqiri is frustratingly inconsistent
Xherdan Shaqiri on his day is a genuine matchwinner. He has skill, balance and great vision. All these attributes can make him a hard player for opposition teams to handle when on form.
However, unfortunately for the 26-year-old, he can never seem to find a decent level of consistency, so he often flatters to deceive. If he would have been a more consistent performer, Shaqiri would probably still be at Bayern Munich.
Since his switch to the Potteries from the German giants, he has been the exact definition of mercurial. He can be brilliant one game, invisible the next.
Signed as a squad player
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has a very settled and talented front three of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane. Shaqiri is unlikely to get in the team ahead of any of the threesome.
However, the Reds will once again have a lot of games, so Shaqiri is likely to play a fair bit, but not every game.
Last season Liverpool have very little quality back-up for their first-choice front three, especially when striker Daniel Sturridge joined West Brom on loan in January. England international Adam Lallana was also sidelined for much of last season.
Shaqiri could provide the quality back-up Liverpool need and at a terrific price in the modern transfer market. Klopp was right it is a ‘no-brainer’.
Whether the 26-year-old will be satisfied with just being a squad player remains to be seen. Not playing regular first-team football at Bayern was the reason he ended up moving to Stoke.
The Swiss international must know that he faces an almost impossible task getting in the team ahead of the Reds current front three unless one is injured.
However, the Swiss star is regarded as someone with a big ego, so maybe he truly believes he can take the place of one of the current three. It also seems unlikely he will play in the midfield three after the signings of Fabinho and Keita.
Liverpool will be title contenders
The Premier League title is the aim for Shaqiri and his new team. The Swiss star has already stated that he has moved to Liverpool to win trophies.
Liverpool will no doubt be contenders for the Premier League title in the new season. In fact, the Reds are odds of 5/1 to win the English top-flight title in the coming season, which makes them second favourites.
Klopp’s side do look strong, especially after their summer business. However, the goalkeeping position still looks like a weak one for the Merseysiders. German goalkeeper Loris Karius made some bad errors last season.
Klopp has stuck with his compatriot seemingly and has refused to sign a new stopper this summer. This could prove to be the Reds Achilles heel in the race to become English champions.
In terms of signings, Shaqiri’s may seem the least crucial, but if any of the team’s first-choice strike-force pick up an injury, then he could prove to be a vital addition to the squad.
Will Xherdan Shaqiri be a squad player at Liverpool in the new season?
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