What ManCity’s replacement means for Shaqiri

Xherdan Shaqiri comes on 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 receive a regularity, an opportunity that must now be seized.

Xherdan Shaqiri climbed higher and higher in Jürgen Klopp’s standings. With significant assists, Swiss player Nati of Liverpool went from being a candidate to a key prankster. How far the 28-year-old has come in such a short time is shown this Sunday in the giants’ duel between Liverpool and Manchester City.

After goals from Mohamed Salah and Gabriel Jesus, the score is even in one of the most important games in Europe at the start of the second half. A glance at the Liverpool bench would have given many coaches a headache, but not Jürgen Klopp. For the successful “Reds” coach it seems clear who could decide the match in favor of the English champions, and already in the 59th minute he did not send Naby Keita or Divock Origi to the field, but Xherdan Shaqiri.

Even if the Swiss later lost his stamp on the game, it is a clear signal for the national team: he is no longer on the sidelines. Andy Robertson, teammate and undisputed regular, knows it too. “He’s been playing phenomenal football in recent weeks,” the Scotsman praised the Swiss after the game on the club’s website. “He’s in 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 no reason for Shaqiri’s work time

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 is Shaqiri’s strong performances that 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 on the team. Aside from Diogo Jota, who can almost be counted as a regular player, only Curtis Jones has received more playing time than Xherdan Shaqiri of the Liverpool reservists since the beginning of October.

It was just over a month ago that Shaqiri’s departure from Liverpool was deemed inevitable. Since then, the Swiss player has been on the pitch in four of eight games, including the full-distance Champions League match against Midtjylland, and has now even received the confidence of his coach in the main match against Manchester City.

In the current season, Shaqiri has already been on the field for about the same amount of time as in all of last season. It looks like the former Basel will finally get his real shot at the English champions. Now is the time to use this.