Xherdan Shaqiri was always going to struggle to force his way into Jurgen Klopp’s dangerous front three at Liverpool but with just 14 minutes of action under his belt so far this season, the 28-year-old’s time at Anfield may be up.
Shaqiri joined Liverpool from Stoke in 2018 and has made 34 appearances for the Reds; scoring six goals and providing five assists in that time. However, a combination of injury and the form of Liverpool’s front three has seriously limited the Swiss midfielder’s game-time this season, with just three substitute appearances to his name.
The former Bayern Munich man was very much expected to be a back-up to the side when he joined and he did often make an impact, either from the start or off the bench last season, notably when he bagged a winning brace against Manchester United. However, it seems as if Divock Origi is now the man Klopp trusts to start when any of Liverpool’s traditional front three is forced to miss a game and Shaqiri’s time at the club is seemingly up.
The Swiss international is clearly talented but has seriously struggled with injury so far this season and in this Liverpool side, you need to be fit and ready when you’re presented with an opportunity. With the likes of Harry Wilson set to return from his loan at Bournemouth next season, it is difficult to see a place in this Liverpool side for the 28-year-old winger anytime in the future. Also, Harvey Elliott has impressed in his starts in the Carabao Cup, achieving an 8/10 against MK Dons, so the Swiss forward may now find himself behind the youngster in the cup.
Shaqiri is currently valued at £22.5 million by transfermarkt and with the January transfer window not far off now, it would be surprising if another top-flight club didn’t make a move for the talented winger; with Darren Bent recently tipping Spurs and Arsenal to battle it out for the 28-year-old in January in an interview with Football Insider.
It could be make or break for Shaqiri this weekend as Liverpool prepare to face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park with Mohamed Salah’s availability still unknown right now and it will be interesting to see if the Swiss international is back fit for the game; as Liverpool aim to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League.
Of course, he may not feature against the Eagles this weekend, but he needs to pull something out of the bag in the near future if he is to salvage his Anfield career as Jurgen Klopp can’t keep on playing a waiting game.