Liverpool star pleads for exit as two European rivals revive interest in him

Naby Keita, Xherdan Shaqiri, Sadio Mane, Joel Matip Liverpool June 2019

Xherdan Shaqiri has told his agent that he wants to leave Liverpool and a move to one city in particular looks most likely, according to reports.

Shaqiri has never been a first-team regular since joining Liverpool from Stoke in 2018. He made some important contributions in his first season at Anfield but his output has dropped since. This season, he has only managed to make five Premier League starts.

The Swiss international has not scored a goal in the English top flight since December 2019. In fact, he has only scored once in cup competitions since then.

Still under contract until 2023, Shaqiri is seemingly unhappy with his lack of opportunities. According to Football Insider, he has now told his agent to find him a new club.

Two suitors have already stepped forward – and they both come from the same city. It is claimed that Serie A rivals Roma and Lazio have expressed an interest.

Both clubs from the Italian capital have been linked with Shaqiri before. Roma wanted him in January 2020 before Lazio tried to sign him the following summer.

Now, he is back on both of their radars. Either could give him the opportunity to return to Serie A, where he used to play for Inter.

That spell was not particularly successful, but Shaqiri has previously opened the door to a return to Italy. Now, that seems more likely than a move back to the Bundesliga, another league he once plied his trade in.

The former Bayern Munich attacker does not appear likely to return to Germany. Instead, going back to Italy could be his next step.

Xherdan Shaqiri Liverpool v Man Utd January 2021

Liverpool are keen to make a profit on the 29-year-old, whom they signed for just £13m after Stoke’s relegation. In the past, they have asked for £23m, but may need to drop their demands in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Liverpool have done business with both Rome clubs before in recent years. They signed Mohamed Salah and Alisson Becker from Roma and let Lucas Leiva and Luis Alberto join Lazio.

It remains to be seen which direction Shaqiri would go in if a move to the Italian capital was his primary option.


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Liverpool warned of Bayern landing Klopp

While a move to Germany isn’t on the agenda for Shaqiri, one could be for his manager Jurgen Klopp.

Klopp has endured the toughest season of his Anfield tenure to date and it has led to questions of his future.

He continues to insist he will see out his contract until 2024, but the impending vacancy at Bayern Munich has brought fresh speculation.

And someone who used to play under Klopp for Borussia Dortmund has suggested that the Reds boss could replace Hansi Flick.

READ MORELiverpool warned of Bayern landing Klopp as talks with German giants revealed