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It’s probably fair to say that Xherdan Shaqiri’s career at Liverpool hasn’t gone exactly as planned for the now 29-year-old Swiss international who came as a bargain from relegated Stoke City in 2018 before spending two injury-plagued seasons.
Multiple injuries and struggles to regain fitness from the match have limited his chances, and it feels like every time he has started to find form and minutes there has been another setback. As a result, the belief during the summer was that his time at the club was over.
Early in the 2020-21 season, however, he has impressed, taking on a midfield role as the eight on the left side in Jürgen Klopp’s 4-3-3 and showing that he still has what it takes to make a real impact. in the defending Premier. League champions.
“The substitutes are always trying to change the game and try to decide the games,” Shaqiri said of his latest impact, looking encouraged off the bench against an upset West Ham team on Saturday and eventually providing the assist to Diogo Jota’s match winner.
“I am a player and Diogo is also a player who can decide games and we needed him, so it was perfect. Both of them [played a part] on the second goal. It was good and important, so we are very happy that all three points remain here at Anfield.
Saturday may have been Shaqiri’s first Premier League appearance this season, but he was one of Liverpool’s best midweek players in the Champions League and earlier this season had one of the club’s best Cup performances. of the league.
Now, having shown that he can still make an impact, and in the process moving a little closer to being fully fit after two years in which he has played very little football, the goal will be to continue to perform and hopefully continue. Playing. staying healthy.
“It’s always good to be involved,” added Shaqiri. “Obviously I got injured a few times and it was always the hardest road for me so far. I am very happy to have recovered my minutes, I have tried to stay in shape and I hope it continues like this ”.
