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Publication date: Monday, November 9, 2020 8:45 AM
Jurgen Klopp has dropped yet another hint that Xherdan Shaqiri is ready for a major role at Liverpool this season after the Reds coach underscored the new importance of the Swiss star.
Shaqiri, who nearly left Anfield in the summer, has risen from the shadows, having made five appearances this season.
It may not sound that much in one sense. However, the fact that Klopp seems happy to turn to the Swiss star again shows how he could play a significant role this season.
In fact, Shaqiri managed just 265 minutes of football last season due to injuries and seemed destined for a summer outing.
Deployed in a midfield role rather than on the wing, the Swiss international has already developed a good rapport with new signing Diogo Jota.
And with Virgil van Dijk out of the game, Klopp appears to have abandoned his 4-3-3 favorite in favor of a more offensive lineup.
Indeed, during Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Manchester City, Klopp started in a 4-2-3-1 formation that made room for four attackers.
And when it comes time for one of the four attackers to retreat, it seems Shaqiri now seems like a preferred option.
“That’s an offensive lineup, but if everyone is doing their job, it’s an even stronger defensive formation, so we’ll see,” Klopp said. Sky sports before the game.
The system worked well in the game and could have even given more than one point to Liverpool. In the end, Klopp seemed happy. He even pointed to a stat from the game that paid his Liverpool players a huge compliment..
In fact, Shaqiri was the man he turned to from the bank to replace Roberto Firmino. He once again demonstrated the manager’s confidence in the player.
Speaking ahead of Atalanta’s 5-0 beating in the Champions League, Klopp was eager to emphasize its importance.
“Shaq can play wing, he has everything for that, but he is a creative player and he played for Switzerland at number 10. [position],” he said.
“They know a lot about football there. They wouldn’t take him there if they think he’s better off in another position.
“Shaq is a versatile offensive player. He played for us at No. 8 wing and now No. 10 when he came in. Those are all the positions he can play. “
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Klopp calls for a rule change
Meanwhile, Klopp has expressed his anger at the VAR and claims that the laws must change.
After Joe Gomez conceded a penalty after Kevin De Bruyne threw the ball into his hands, Klopp spoke of his annoyance.
While he did not comment on the specific incident, he did admit his frustration with the VAR system.
Klopp said: “I can’t talk about it because I haven’t seen it yet. I don’t think it’s too important now, but everyone talks about it.
“It looked and it sounds to me that it is obviously not 100% clear. But I only saw Joe’s back the moment the ball hit him. “
Klopp also used Patrick Bamford’s goal disallowed for Leeds at the Palace on Saturday as an example of how the current rules are wrong.
“But yeah, handball, offside, armpit, all these kinds of things. I don’t know why we constantly talk about it. And why those who can really make a difference don’t talk about it much more.
“They could do it and they are the only people in the world who think it is exactly what it is. We could just be the ones who think it’s not okay the way it is.
“I saw (Patrick) Bamford’s armpit on Saturday and it reminded me a lot of Bobby Firmino’s armpit at Aston Villa (last season). I can’t wait for it to be the first time a player scores a goal with his armpit ”.
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