SHAQIRI UP FOR THE FIGHT TO BREAK IN TO KLOPP’S SIDE

XHERDAN Shaqiri insists he is looking forward to a chance to break back into Jurgen Klopp’s plans as he prepares for what recently seemed an unlikely third season at Liverpool.

The 28-year-old forward, who joined Liverpool from Stoke City in 2018, had been expected to leave Anfield during the summer window and had been linked with a move to Germany or Italy. But the deadline came and went last week without any deal and Shaqiri, under contract until 2023, claims that was his call in the end. He rarely figured last season as Liverpool were crowned Premier League champions, but that medal plus the one he picked up in the Champions League a year previously have meant his time on Merseyside hasn’t been all bad at all. “There is always speculation and the players think about their situations. That is completely normal,” he told reporters in Switzerland during the international break.

“And, of course, I have also thought about it, that is completely normal. But in the end I decided to stay there. The transfer window is now closed.

“Now I will go back to training with the team after these international matches and try to continue to perform well, which I have proven a few times, also at Liverpool. And that is my goal.”

Shaqiri has made 42 appearances for Liverpool, scoring eight times as he competes for a shirt with Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino as well as Takumi Minamino and Divock Origi.

However, he has recently been limited to playing in cup games.