Liverpool make Xherdan Shaqiri transfer decision with Jurgen Klopp’s hand forced

Xherdan Shaqiri shows incredible skill during Liverpool training

Xherdan Shaqiri is set to remain with Liverpool until the end of this season at least. The Reds are not expected to bring in any major acquisitions in January due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic and if they do, it is likely to be at centre-back.

Reports in Switzerland claim Shaqiri is happy at Anfield and 4-4-2.ch states the 29-year-old ‘generally feels very comfortable in the club’.

Shaqiri appeared to be set for a move in the summer, when he was left out of the Carabao Cup tie against Arsenal amid reported interest from two clubs.

However, the Swiss international decided against a switch and went on to impress in influential cameos against West Ham United and FC Midtjylland.

But just one more appearance was to follow before injury struck once again for the Swiss international and he was sidelined until the end of December due to a calf problem.

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Shaqiri has been popular among supporters since joining from Stoke for £13.75m in 2018 but injuries have plagued his time at the club.

The former Bayern Munich midfielder was limited to less than 300 minutes last season and he has only managed 279 for the Reds this term.

Shaqiri returned to action after his latest seven-week lay-off with a brief cameo against Newcastle United on December 30 before featuring for just over half an hour at Southampton.

The 83-cap midfielder’s return has delighted Jurgen Klopp, with the head coach stating ‘Shaq is back and that’s, by the way, the best news’ following the 0-0 draw with Newcastle.

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Historically Shaqiri has struggled to dislodge members of Liverpool’s imperious front three with any regularity and has also been in tough competition for a midfield slot.

But with Diogo Jota out until late January at the earliest and Takumi Minamino yet to truly take his opportunity following his move from RB Salzburg, the door is very much open for Shaqiri to make his mark in the coming months.

Liverpool’s recent form will also give Shaqiri hope he might earn more minutes in the coming weeks.

Monday night’s 1-0 defeat to Southampton means Liverpool have not won in three matches, following draws with Newcastle United and West Bromwich Albion.

The Reds now only lead fierce rivals Manchester United on goal difference, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men having a game in hand.

Jamie Carragher has claimed Liverpool will not win the league unless they spend in January, with the club legend believing they need a centre half desperately due to injuries to Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.

However, historically the Reds have not been overly active in January transfer windows.

The transformative arrival of van Dijk in 2018 was a rare big-money spend in January, whilst the signing of Minamino last year was more due to his low £7.25m release clause.

It has been a similar story with outgoings, with Philippe Coutinho in 2018 and Dominic Solanke a year later rare January sales.

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