Xherdan Shaqiri is unlikely to travel to America on Liverpool’s pre-season tour, according to the Telegraph.
The newspaper claim on their website that the 27-year-old attacker has returned to Melwood still harbouring the slight calf tear picked up in June.
The Telegraph report that the injury suffered on Swiss international duty in the UEFA Nations League matches, is hoped to not be too serious by Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp is hoping that Shaqiri will be available come to the start of the Premier League, with both Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane will not be involved in America after international duty for Brazil and Senegal respectively.
OPINION
With Divock Origi and Rhian Brewster, the two most senior forwards making the trip, Liverpool will be desperate for their senior attacking options to become available. Pre-season is a valuable time to get minutes under your belt and readapt to Klopp’s methods ahead of another busy season. The trip America would have been the perfect time for Shaqiri to stake his claim ahead of the next campaign, especially with Firmino and Mane not expected to make the trip. The only positive of this timing is that should Shaqiri prove his fitness early, he stands every chance of making an impact from day one of the league. The £80,000 per-week ace [Spotrac] did make 24 appearances last season, but 13 of those came off the bench, something he will surely be wanting to change in the next campaign. Replicating his international form is something that would catapult the winger into the spotlight at Anfield, with Shaqiri attempting 3.2 shots on average per game for Switzerland compared to only 1.7 for Liverpool in the league. [WhoScored] This is no doubt bad news for Shaqiri, who must now use this as motivation to push for more next season.
