Former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol has waxed lyrical over midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri following his recent performance for Switzerland.
Nicol insisted that the 5ft 5in [Transfermarkt] summer signing will be seeing more playing time under boss Jurgen Klopp this season based on his recent display for his country in the UEFA Nations League.
He questioned the Swiss international’s attitude when at the start of the new Premier League season, and whether he would be able to accept coming off the bench more than he is able to start.
“You know who is going to be seeing more playing time? Shaqiri. I questioned his attitude at the start of the season when Liverpool signed him, and whether he would be happy coming off the bench,” he told ESPN FC.
“But I tell you what, he has been fantastic everytime he stepped on the field. You’ve seen with Switzerland during the week – he was phenomenal.
“Clearly he’s enjoying being at Liverpool, and that is only great for Liverpool. Again, he can come on, he can give [Mo] Salah a break, he can give [Sadio] Mane a break.”
OPINION
Even though Shaqiri has not yet started for Liverpool in the Premier League, Nicol is right to heap praise on Shaqiri following his display for Switzerland. It is hard not to agree with Nicol here in terms of him getting some playing time soon, as he most definitely deserves it. He would be able to give the attacking trio a break every now and then, and it is surprising that Klopp has not handed him a spot in the first team thus far. He will only get better and better if Klopp decides to give him regular playing time, but at the moment, he is not being recognised for his ability. Hopefully, Klopp will take notice of his international displays, as he has clearly been one of Switzerland’s stand out players, and give him the start that he deserves. It may be a risk to suddenly switch things up and throw him into the mix, but the risk could definitely be worth it.
