Frustrated star linked with Liverpool exit looking for ‘big trophies’ at Anfield
Liverpool winger Xherdan Shaqiri admits a lack of activity has been frustrating but is determined to play his part in the club’s quest for glory.
The 29-year-old has featured in only 85 minutes of Premier League football this season. Niggling injuries have seen him sidelined and he missed a large proportion of November and December.
Longer-term injuries from 2019-2020 also hampered his progress and the Switzerland international is eager to make amends. The truncated 2019-20 campaign saw the former Stoke City ace make just two starts among seven top-flight appearances.
When fit, he has to battle a number of talented players to net a starting berth for the Anfield giants. It is never easy but he did play the last 30 minutes of Saturday’s 4-1 FA Cup triumph over Aston Villa.
Withing four minutes, Shaqiri had provided two assists to put the game out of reach for the Villans. And the former Inter star is now looking to the future and what he can bring to the team.
“I’m fit again and back. I’m feeling good, I’m ready to play,” he told the Reds’ official website. “I’m looking forward to the next games and the second half of the season to try to help the team for a lot of achievement. I’m looking forward.
“It’s normal if you are injured or you cannot help the team that you are frustrated. You are at home looking at your team-mates on the TV and you want to be there too. But this is part of football, part of life.”
Trophies the target
Liverpool sit top of the Premier League standings with 33 points from 17 games played. But the chasing pack are not too far behind, with Manchester United on the same number of points.
The Red Devils have a game in hand while third-placed Leicester are just a point adrift of the duo.
They also cruised through the group stage of the Champions League, finishing top of Group D. A two-legged clash with RB Leipzig awaits in February and March.
The Merseysiders are ambitious to bring further silverware to the club. There has been talk of a winter exit but Shaqiri shares that determination.
“I think this is the goal of Liverpool FC and it must play for big achievements, big trophies,” he added. “This is also our goal this year.
“Obviously we want to be at the top but we need very, very good performances and we need us at the top to really achieve these things.”
Liverpool will be back in league action next Sunday when they face title rivals Manchester United at Anfield.
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