Jurgen Klopp had a fall out with Liverpool winger Xherdan Shaqiri last season, according to Paul Mariner.
The former England international claimed that the disagreement happened as the German didn’t see eye-to-eye with Shaqiri over his place in the Reds’ side.
Speaking on ESPN, as quoted by the Express, Mariner said: “So you’ve got to be strategic. Look what he did with picking up Shaqiri at £13m, it was a stroke of genius.”
“[He didn’t play much in the second half of last season because] he had a bit of a fall out with him.”
The Switzerland international managed to make 24 appearances for Liverpool last season, with more than half of those coming off the bench.
Despite his lack of minutes, the 27-year-old still managed to score six goals and assist a further three, including a memorable brace against Manchester United.
OPINION
Being a back-up option as a forward at Liverpool could be one of the most frustrating roles to have in the Premier League, but what did Shaqiri expect when he arrived at Anfield? With Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, and Mohamed Salah, Liverpool have one of the deadliest front-threes in the top-flight and although two goals against Manchester United is enough to make you a hero in Merseyside, it’s not enough to guarantee a starting spot. The 27-year-old would need to replicate his international form if he was to improve for the Reds, where he has managed to average over three shots and key passes per game for Switzerland in the World Cup and UEFA Nations League, compared to Liverpool where it is hovering around one-per-game [WhoScored]. Klopp must remind Shaqiri of his place in the squad, with there not being much hope for the Swiss winger of getting more minutes next season, fall out or not.
