Xherdan Shaqiri claims he has achieved leadership status at Liverpool – despite lack of game time
Xherdan Shaqiri believes he is one of the leaders at Liverpool despite not playing a prominent role on the pitch.
The 27-year-old Swiss winger joined the Reds from relegated Stoke City in 2018 but has since failed to hold down a regular starting berth under Jurgen Klopp.
Shaqiri’s situation: Five key things to know…
- Xherdan Shaqiri joined Liverpool from Stoke in 2018.
- He’s gone on to make 34 appearances in all competitions.
- The 27-year-old Swiss international became a cult hero at Anfield after scoring twice v Man Utd in December 2018.
- However, the former Bayern Munich and Inter forward has struggled to hold down a regular starting berth.
- Shaqiri nonetheless sees himself as a leader at the Anfield club.
Instead he has been prominently used as a squad player with Klopp preferring Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane on the wings with Roberto Firmino leading their line.
To date, the former Inter Milan and Bayern Munich forward has made 34 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions, registering six goals, with two of those coming in a 3-1 victory over Manchester United last December.
At the moment Shaqiri is currently sidelined with a calf injury, which has led to him playing just 25 minutes this season, but the Gjilan-born footballer nonetheless is enjoying his time at Anfield and doesn’t regret moving there for one second.
Subscribe to Squawka’s Youtube channel here.
“I have prevailed,” he told Schweizer Illustrierte.
“Not a second did I regret the move to Liverpool. Many have written me off in Stoke, but who can claim to have switched directly from a relegated side to a Champions League winner?
“I know what I can do and that I’m a good match for English football. And I earned the contract in Liverpool with my services in Stoke. It is simply a step forward in my career where everyone would like to play.
“I was in the starting XI in the return leg of the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona, which will go down in club history. And because of my two goals to defeat everlasting rival Manchester United, they still often call me a legend.
“Apart from the fact that I would like to play more, I’m happy in Liverpool. I have a certain status in the team because I am one of the more experienced players. I think I’m one of the leaders.”
