According to the Guardian, Liverpool are interested in signing Stoke playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri this summer. The 26-year-old reportedly has a relegation release clause that allows him to leave the Potters for around £12million. The fee is not a huge one for a player who is capable of such moments of brilliance.
Shaqiri is highly inconsistent
Shaqiri is the sort of player that must frustrate the life out of his own fans. He has immense technical ability and is capable of some fantastic pieces of magic with the ball at his feet. He is capable of beating multiple opponents and score goals from long distance. However, the problem is he seems to struggle with consistency, which is put down to a poor attitude by his critics.
If you look up the word mercurial in the dictionary, I am surprised Shaqiri is not referenced as a prime example of the word. It was a surprise to some when he joined Stoke from Internazionale in 2015 for a relatively modest sum of £12million.
However, the reason that the Potters could snap up the Swiss star was due to his inability to produce consistent performances at Inter and previous club Bayern Munich, who were optimistic about the attacking midfielder’s prospects.
Simply put, he blows hot and cold on the football pitch and that is why he ended up at the Bet365 Stadium and did not stay in Bavaria or Milan for long.
Jurgen Klopp is a great man-manager
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has a reputation for being a great man-manager. The German is a charismatic character and seems to have a great rapport with the players under his charge. The bond he has with his players no doubt helps the former Dortmund boss get the best out of players. One recent prime example of Klopp improving a player is England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
The midfielder struggled to fulfil his potential at Arsenal under veteran boss Arsene Wenger. However, since a switch to Merseyside, he has flourished and has become a much-improved player. Oxlade-Chamberlain had similar problems with consistency. However, it had been claimed in the past that his problem was a lack of confidence. Klopp and his staff have obviously found a way to get into the midfielders head.
With Shaqiri, there certainly does not seem a lack of confidence. In fact, some accuse the Swiss star of being over-confident, even arrogant at times. Many bosses have tried to unlock the consistency in the attacking midfielder. Maybe Klopp can find the key to get the best out of the Switzerland international.
Liverpool favourites to sign Shaqiri
Liverpool are the favourites to sign Shaqiri, with the Swiss international is now evens to be a Reds player by the time the summer transfer window shuts.
Shaqiri has already declared he has no plans to play Championship football with Stoke next season. He has also stated that he would like to stay in England. It seems that his wish is likely to be granted, whether he joins Liverpool or not this summer, as the likes of Everton, Tottenham and Southampton are also reportedly interested in signing the attacking midfielder this summer.
No doubt Reds boss Jurgen Klopp is looking to improve his squad. Some Liverpool fans have voiced their concerns about the prospects of signing Shaqiri. However, if the Swiss star did join the Merseysiders it would be as a squad player.
He will not be Liverpool’s biggest signing of the summer, with both Naby Keita and Fabinho already costing far more than Shaqiri’s release clause. At that price, the Reds can afford to gamble on the Swiss star. Who knows maybe Klopp is the boss that can squeeze some consistency out of the talented but mercurial figure that is Xherdan Shaqiri.
Would Xherdan Shaqiri be a good signing for Liverpool this summer?
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
