Xherdan Shaqiri has put pressure on FSG to sell him this summer after he namedropped Lazio to the Italian press, says Jose Enrique.
He told EOTK: “With Xherdan Shaqiri coming out and saying he wants a new challenge, and name-dropping Lazio to Italian journalists, it likely means the club have already been in touch for him.
“And what he’s now done is put a little bit of pressure on the owners. If the money isn’t right, maybe Liverpool aren’t happy with what another club has offered, the best thing a player can do is to apply pressure.
“I believe Shaqiri is a great player, he performed really well at Euro 2020, but the problem he has is that he’s injury-prone.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – MAY 07: Liverpool’s Xherdan Shaqiriduring the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Liverpool and Barcelona at Anfield on May 7, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Rich Linley – CameraSport via Getty Images)
“The style of football Liverpool play is very intense, high pressure, and it doesn’t really suit him – he can’t handle playing four or five games in a row.
“But he could obviously be a better fit in another team that that maybe doesn’t press as much, a team that has more of the ball.
“Italy is the perfect place for Shaqiri, it’s more tactical over there, and he could be a very, very good player for Lazio, if that’s actually where he goes this summer.”
The former Stoke City forward is crucial to Liverpool this summer as his non-homegrown slot in the squad is hindering their transfer plans.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 21: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OU T)Xherdan Shaqiri of Liverpool during a training session on November 21, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
It seems most likely that he will leave the club before the summer comes to a close and while he no longer offers the Reds the threat he used to, supporters will always have a soft spot for him.
Shaqiri played a pivotal role in one of Anfield’s most memorable nights as Liverpool beat Barcelona 4-0 to win the Champions League semi-final second leg and progress to the final.
His assist for Georginio Wijnaldum’s second goal of the game was a beauty and is hardly mentioned but it will go down as one of the most incredible moments at Anfield.
