Jamie Carragher shared that he pulled Liverpool attacker Xherdan Shaqiri aside on Wednesday in order to inform him that he must win against Everton on Sunday.
The former Reds defender shared that he was in the mixed zone for the Reds’ clash with PSG in the Champions League on Wednesday evening and caught the winger on his way out of the ground.
Carragher was asked what he told the non-local lads ahead of taking part in a Merseyside Derby before sharing his exchange with Shaqiri ahead of this Sunday’s clash with The Toffees.
“I mean there’s not some big speech (tell the non-local lads) you give them just constantly tell them that at Everton you can’t lose,” said Carragher on the Merseyside Derby Special of the All Together Now Everton podcast, which is available on SoundCloud.
“I pulled Shaqiri over last night (Wednesday) on the way out, yeah, I was in the mixed zone last night.
“He came out and came over and said hello and I said the derby on Sunday, you have to win, have to win and he said I know.”
OPINION
In what turned out to be a simple exchange between Shaqiri and Carragher, at least everyone is now aware that the summer recruit knows Sunday’s match is a must win. Luckily for Carragher, the in-form Reds attacker was very polite about being pulled aside to be told about the match with Everton as he no doubt wasn’t in the best mood. Shaqiri only played 13 minutes of his side’s disappointing 2-1 loss to PSG in the Champions League and no doubt just wanted to make a quick exit in order to swiftly move on from the result. While Carragher no doubt had an opportunity to speak to many of the Reds players yesterday with him at the game, it says a lot that he made sure to talk to Shaqiri. The 27-year-old winger has the potential to establish himself as a fan favourite on Sunday as he has all the tools needed to ensure the Toffees leave Anfield with a defeat. Hopefully Jurgen Klopp plays Shaqiri from the start of the match as you feel the attacker could be the spark his side lacked against PSG.
