Liverpool unveiled Xherdan Shaqiri on Friday afternoon. Shaqiri was introduced to Liverpool’s supporters via social media as the club confirmed the Swiss international had signed a five-year contract with the club.
Liverpool unveil Xherdan Shaqiri
Shaqiri led Stoke City in scoring in 2017-18. He tallied eight goals and seven assists for the club. Shaqiri is coming off of his best season with Stoke. The team only scored 35 goals with 15 of them being scored by or assisted by Shaqiri. He starred for Switzerland at the World Cup. Shaqiri scored one goal and added an assist for the Swiss at the World Cup.
Liverpool had tracked Shaqiri previously while the midfielder was at Bayern Munich. However, Shaqiri chose to stay at the German club and fight for his place in the team.
“As a player, you always want to be on the biggest stage in football,” Shaqiri said.
“A few years ago I wanted to come too but it didn’t happen. I’m really happy that now I’m finally here. I want to improve myself too, I want to be with the best and I want to win titles.
“It’s a huge club with big history, big players, and a fantastic coach. So I’m really glad and happy to be here.”
Shaqiri is Liverpool’s third midfield signing of the summer after Fabinho and Naby Keita’s arrivals.
Following Liverpool’s unveiling of Shaqiri, supporters took to Twitter to express their thoughts on the player.
Liverpool supporters react via Twitter to Shaqiri
Buying Shaqiri makes sense on so many levels:
Low financial risk (at worst he’d still sell for a profit).
Adds attacking depth to the front-three.
Can potentially fill the void (attack wise) at the start of the PL.
A good set-piece taker.
Experienced, yet only 26.
— Ben Webb (@BenWebbLFC) July 14, 2018
Shaqiri looks so happy. I think there’s a deep appreciation that he’s got this wonderful opportunity; which I fully expect him to grasp. pic.twitter.com/ukYEb5gO0K
— Ben Webb (@BenWebbLFC) July 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/AnythingLFC_/status/1017864754302521345
Pogba – £90m
Morata – £60m
Mahrez – £60m
Martial – £57m
Sterling – £50m
Sigurdsson – £45m
Drinkwater- £35mThen there's people actually questioning Liverpool paying £13.5m for Shaqiri..Unbelievable
— AnfieldUrchin (@AnfieldUrchin) July 14, 2018
The Shaqiri transfer means this is the 4th Summer in a row that LFC have signed a player from a relegated team…
2015: Ings – Burnley
2016: Wijnaldum – Newcastle
2017: Robertson – Hull
2018: Shaqiri – Stoke2019: Pickford – Everton?
— LFC KNOWLEDGE (@LFCknowledge) July 13, 2018
I’m very happy with Arsenal’s transfer business this summer but I’m going to be honest @LFC team is looking frightening. With the additions of Keita, Fabinho and now Shaqiri they will be title contenders next season. A new goalkeeper and they’ll be unstoppable.
— Aubacazette (@AUBA_X_LACA) July 13, 2018
https://twitter.com/AnfieldAn/status/1017862131289657344
How will Xherdan Shaqiri fit in with Liverpool?
Shaqiri is expected to fit into Liverpool’s midfield as Jurgen Klopp has added strength to the position this summer. Despite losing Emre Cann to Juventus on a free transfer, Klopp’s midfield looks far stronger this transfer window than it did 12 months ago.
Liverpool’s midfield was arguably the weakest area on the pitch for the club. Klopp can now deploy any combination of Jordan Henderson, Georginio Wijnaldum, Keita, Fabinho, Shaqiri, or Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in midfield. Shaqiri can also be deployed as a right or left wing in Klopp’s attacking three.
Are you a Liverpool supporter? How excited are you about Shaqiri?