Shaqiri opens up on Liverpool decision; hits back at Swiss claims

Xherdan Shaqiri TEAMtalk

Liverpool attacker Xherdan Shaqiri says he decided to stay at Anfield this summer, despite being linked with a move away.

This summer looked like being the last on Merseyside for Shaqiri after arriving from Stoke in July 2018 for a fee of £13.5m.

Shaqiri was left out of the EFL Cup team that lost to Arsenal on penalties recently.

“I can’t and I don’t want to say anything about that,” Klopp told Sky Sports.


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“What I can say is he is not injured and it is not for disciplinary reasons.

“Some were not involved. It is the time of the year when some things happen in the background and you have to react. That is what we did.”

The Liverpool Echo reported that two sides were keen on the wideman, with Liverpool looking to bank a fee of around £20m.

However, a move never happened and Shaqiri was named in Liverpool’s Champions League squad.

Speaking ahead of Switzerland’s game with Germany on Tuesday, Shaqiri said: “Yes, I think enough has been written and said [about my future].

“We are here in the international game and I don’t want to talk too much about Liverpool because tomorrow is a good game and let’s not forget it.

“We are playing against Germany who are a big team. So I would love to answer more questions about Germany or about the international match.

 

 

“Sure, in football there is always speculation and the players need to think about their situations. That is completely natural.

“And of course, I have thought about it, that is completely normal. But in the end I decided to stay.

“The transfer window is closed. Now I will go back to training with the team after these international matches and try to continue to perform well, which I already have a few times, also at Liverpool and that is my goal.”

Shaqiri hits back over Swiss claims

Shaqiri has hit back at suggestions he doesn’t give his all while on international duty.

The 29-year-old was a sub for Switzerland against Spain on Saturday – his first appearance in over a year.

He has now opened up on his absence and says that there was never any question about his mentality.

“A lot was written. Most of it was very unnecessary, and a lot was misinterpreted,” he told Bieler Tagblatt.

“Anyone who knows me knows that I always put my heart and soul into it, and what I’ve already achieved for this national team.

“I’ve never had mental problems with it. I am very strong in the mental area and will be in the future.

“There are always ups and downs; I was also hurt a lot, which was the main reason why I was not there.”

has insisted he always puts his ‘heart and soul’ into international duty contrary to what many some of him.