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Shaqiri justifies the transfer decision
It doesn’t take a huge leap of imagination to imagine Xherdan Shaqiri having left Liverpool this month.
As the transfer deadline approached, several clubs wanted Shaqiri who had fallen through the pecking order at Anfield.
An outing in 10 months told the story, the Swiss international has seen his Anfield career nearly on hold due to injuries and the impressive form of his teammates.
Shaqiri, however, decided to give it one last chance, resisting the opportunity to leave.
And in this Champions League group clash against Midtjylland, both the player and the club benefited.
The relentless schedule, and the five substitutes rule in Europe, has given Shaqiri a surprise opportunity that he gladly accepted after an enthusiastic cameo in the Netherlands last week.
Want more reaction, including Jurgen Klopp’s press conference, check out the post-game podcast HERE
No one has ever doubted the quality of the Swiss. And that was evident with the weight of the pass that freed Trent Alexander-Arnold inside the box to cross Diogo Jota to score the first game-defining goal.
But the way he impressed equally in midfield three, reprising the role he scored and garnered attention in Lincoln City at the Carabao Cup last month, was with his work ethic and willingness to back down.
Shaqiri may be playing himself in the usual first-team reckoning once again.
Origi and Minamino fluff up their lines
Both Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino have a particular affinity for the Champions League.
Origi will always be loved among Reds fans for his glorious contribution to the later stages of Liverpool’s triumphant career in 2019, while it was the competition in which Minamino forged his reputation against the Reds last season.
And with Jurgen Klopp giving their regular three forwards a well-deserved respite, the duo – Minamino making their third season start, Origi their second – had a unique opportunity.
Sadly, it didn’t happen to either of them.
Origi remains the most reluctant of the left wingers, his spotty contribution not helping as he was at the end of some crunchy challenges from a visiting team whose innings sometimes left Klopp furious.
If the Belgian’s star is perhaps on the wane, Minamino was arguably the biggest disappointment here, his far touch and frustration highlighted by a smug foul shortly after losing possession that left him slapping the grass in anger at himself.
Jota, playing on the right, continued with his happy goal scoring and has already risen as the first replacement of the established forward when, like on Saturday, he does not go out with them.
And Mohamed Salah’s penalty in injury time led him to seven goals in 10 games this season and was his thirteenth goal in 17 Champions League games at Anfield. There are never doubts about the Egyptian.
European night like no other
The tournament logo was decorated around the stadium. The competition ball bubbled across the grass.
The number six was proudly stamped on the sleeves of the Liverpool players.
And of course, blasting out shortly before kickoff came the poignant Champions League anthem, a real blow compared to the last weak effort of the Premier League.
So everything was in place for a characteristic European Anfield night.
Except for one key aspect. Supporters.
Since Liverpool’s last European outing at home here in the loss to Atletico Madrid in March, fans have not been able to see Jurgen Klopp’s team in competitive action.
* Who was your MOTM last night? Cast your vote in our quick poll.
Across Europe it’s a different story, as various countries allow a limited number (7,000 fans watched Lokomotiv Moscow entertain Bayern Munich on Tuesday morning) and adopt a temporary new way of life.
The coronavirus is not going away anytime soon. Industries, led by proper government advice, will have to adapt or continue toward their destination.
And that should allow, in the coming weeks, a gradual return of fans.
As someone who has been lucky enough to attend almost every Liverpool game after closing, let me assure you that professional football is not the same without supporters. You have to come back sooner rather than later.
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