Jurgen Klopp could refuse to sell Xherdan Shaqiri in protest against FSG, claims Kevin Phillips.
“You would think that winning trophies would give you the money,” Phillips told Football Insider.
“They have won the Premier League, the Champions League, they should not be worrying about wheeling and dealing.
“It shows the times we’re all in but that deal for Shaqiri, it’s time for him to move on.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 11: Xherdan Shaqiri of Liverpool celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Fulham FC at Anfield on November 11, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
“He’s been a bit-part player for quite some time a fee of aorund £15million takes care of a player’s wages for a few years too.
“Every little helps at this point. I don’t think Klopp will let him go. Why would he?
“He might say to the board that he can’t afford to let players go unless they give him what he wants, as a sort of protest.
“For all parties concerned, I think Shaqiri just needs regular football.“
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA – JULY 02: Xherdan Shaqiri of Switzerland scores their side’s first goal during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Quarter-final match between Switzerland and Spain at Saint Petersburg Stadium on July 02, 2021 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Joosep Martinson – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
While I don’t think Liverpool are broke as journalists make out and certainly don’t think Klopp has the power to stop the owners selling their own players, it must be frustrating to watch his rivals spend almost without limit.
Manchester United are adding Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane to their squads for the new season while Manchester City may well add Harry Kane and Jack Grealish to their squad.
Liverpool meanwhile, had to pass up on signing Donyell Malen because they hadn’t yet sold Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri.
I understand that FSG wants Liverpool to be sustainable but can you imagine what Klopp would accomplish with the budgets of his rivals?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – JULY 22: Jurgen Klopp, Manager of Liverpool celebrates following the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield on July 22, 2020 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Paul Ellis/Pool via Getty Images)
Despite not having Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez or Joel Matip in defence, Fabinho or Jordan Henderson in midfield for large parts and his attack misfiring at times, the German somehow guided Liverpool to a third-place finish last season.
So far this summer, the Reds have only signed Konate and while it’s unlikely they will end the window without making any more additions, it’s frustrating watching Liverpool’s rivals splash the cash while we penny-pinch.
Especially given that winning silverware and signing a deal with Nike was supposed to bring in new revenue for Liverpool over the last few years.
