Liverpool make January transfer U-turn after Jamie Carragher’s Jurgen Klopp plea

Liverpool are set to keep hold of Xherdan Shaqiri in the January transfer window, with no ‘major departures’ planned.

The Swiss international had been heavily linked with an Anfield exit in the summer, before ultimately staying with the club.

After making just 11 appearances in all competitions last season, his role was set to be limited even further with the arrival of Diogo Jota.

However, with the Portuguese out with a knee problem, the 29-year-old could provide back-up to Klopp’s established front-three and is now set to stay until at least the end of the season.

Shaqiri is back in contention for Jurgen Klopp’s side after spending a period of time on the sidelines with injury.

According to a report in the Swiss press, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Reds are unwilling to sanction any major exits as their ‘hands are tied’ in terms of incomings.

The report adds that Shaqiri is ‘very comfortable’ on Merseyside and will make no push to leave, despite his limited opportunites.

The decision to keep hold of the forward is one likely to please Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher, who has urged Klopp to give him more of a chance.

Following Monday’s defeat to Southampton, his old team have failed to win in their last three league appearances, scoring only once in the process.

Mohamed Salah has endured a mini-slump on the right and Carragher believes Shaqiri’s introduction could spark an immediate upturn in form for the Egyptian.

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“They had a spell in that [2018/19] season where they played 4-2-3-1 and Salah went through the middle and Shaqiri played a little bit from the right,” he told Sky Sports.

“Even before Jota comes back, just tweak something, take one of the midfielders out. Maybe just bringing an extra body in, flipping the system slightly.

“Salah up front, Shaqiri from the right – maybe Jota from the right (when he’s back). An extra man on the pitch who can score. [Klopp]’s done it before, they had a great run in the middle of that season. That may be something to make people think differently.”

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