What the ManCity replacement means for Shaqiri

Xherdan Shaqiri came in as a substitute in the 59th minute in Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Manchester Ciy. Although the Swiss cannot put a stamp on the game, his bets have a regularity, an opportunity that must now be exploited.

Xherdan Shaqiri climbed higher and higher in Jürgen Klopp’s rankings. With important assists, Liverpool’s Swiss national team has transformed from candidate to key joker. How far the 28-year-old has come in such a short time can be seen on Sunday in the duel of giants between Liverpool and Manchester City.

After goals from Mohamed Salah and Gabriel Jesus, the score in one of the most important matches in Europe is even at the beginning of the second half. A look at the Liverpool bank would have given many coaches a headache, but not Jürgen Klopp. For the lucky coach of the “Reds” it is clear who could decide the match in favor of the English champions, and already in the 59th minute he sent out not Naby Keita or Divock Origi, but Xherdan Shaqiri.

Even if the Swiss then failed to put his stamp on the game, it is a clear sign for the Nati star: he is no longer on the sidelines. Teammate and undisputed Andy Robertson knows this too. “He has played phenomenal football in the past few weeks,” praised the Scotsman after the match on the club’s website. “It’s such a good time right now. This also helps us to adapt as a team and play different formations. And against one of the best teams in the league. “

Failures are not a reason for Shaqiri’s working hours

Meanwhile, the long list of injuries at Liverpool FC is no reason for Shaqiri’s newfound confidence under Klopp. The failures of regular players like Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho or newcomer Thiago do not directly affect the Swiss. His only real rival currently injured: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Rather, it’s Shaqiri’s good performances that have catapulted him ahead of his direct competition in recent weeks. Naby Keita, Curtis Jones and Divock Origi didn’t show up on Sunday, Takumi Minamino wasn’t even in the squad. Aside from Diogo Jota, who can almost be considered a regular player, only Curtis Jones has received more playing time than Xherdan Shaqiri from Liverpool reservists since early October.

It was only a little over a month ago that Shaqiri’s departure from Liverpool was considered inevitable. Since then, the Swiss player has taken the field in four of eight games, including the full distance Champions League match against Midtjylland and has now also received his manager’s confidence in the top match against Manchester City.

In the current season, Shaqiri has been on the pitch almost the same time as the entire past season. It looks like the former Basel will finally have their real chance for the English champions. Now is the time to use it.