I didn't want Shaqiri, but now that he's a Liverpool player all of it is in the past – I'll support and root for him like every other player. His past behavior was often the opposite of the team-first mentality instituted here by Klopp, but it looks like the club has decided it's a gamble that can afford to make, especially with him coming here not as some kind of "savior," but with a point to prove after bouncing around clubs and last season's relegation. And in terms of money this is not a gamble at all – even if he does absolutely nothing next season he will fetch significantly more than £13M should we decide to sell him next summer, simply due to the absence of the release clause. Given Ox's season-long injury (announced only after Shaq was signed), this now looks like a shrewd move from LFC.
In football terms, his debut was absolute perfection – OK, the overhead kick goal was great and important for his confidence (not that he's lacking in that department), but the way he played and integrated into the team reminisced of Shaqiri of his best Bayern days when he looked like he could become a real star under Guardiola's tutelage. In these 45 minutes there was almost no moment when he tried to do too much – there were several potential opportunities to shoot or dribble which he passed up in favor of moving the game along with simple, but highly effective passing and movement. His movement was honestly a joy to watch – he always made the extra few steps to receive the ball in space, if a defender got close he easily held it up using his strong frame, and he popped up everywhere from deep central midfield to both flanks to making a few darting runs beyond the defensive line, like the one that led to the assist to Sturridge. His role in Klopp's system in this game actually reminded me of Gotze, a player who makes the game tick with his constant movement and ability to hold up the ball, but also picks his moments to run beyond the defensive line.
If there is one small flaw I noticed is that when he drifts to the left flank he seems unsure what to do with the ball on his naturally strong left foot – a few times that resulted in a tame floated cross when another player (think of Mane for example) might have found something far more dangerous there. He can't quite stretch beyond a defender to properly wrap his foot around the ball and isn't comfortable cutting in on his weaker side. All in all, this was a 10/10 debut and I think the real test for Shaqiri will be whether at some point he will slip into becoming overconfident and selfish again – it's very early, but so far he seems determined to get on Klopp's good side and play and sound every bit like a team player.
In football terms, his debut was absolute perfection – OK, the overhead kick goal was great and important for his confidence (not that he's lacking in that department), but the way he played and integrated into the team reminisced of Shaqiri of his best Bayern days when he looked like he could become a real star under Guardiola's tutelage. In these 45 minutes there was almost no moment when he tried to do too much – there were several potential opportunities to shoot or dribble which he passed up in favor of moving the game along with simple, but highly effective passing and movement. His movement was honestly a joy to watch – he always made the extra few steps to receive the ball in space, if a defender got close he easily held it up using his strong frame, and he popped up everywhere from deep central midfield to both flanks to making a few darting runs beyond the defensive line, like the one that led to the assist to Sturridge. His role in Klopp's system in this game actually reminded me of Gotze, a player who makes the game tick with his constant movement and ability to hold up the ball, but also picks his moments to run beyond the defensive line.
If there is one small flaw I noticed is that when he drifts to the left flank he seems unsure what to do with the ball on his naturally strong left foot – a few times that resulted in a tame floated cross when another player (think of Mane for example) might have found something far more dangerous there. He can't quite stretch beyond a defender to properly wrap his foot around the ball and isn't comfortable cutting in on his weaker side. All in all, this was a 10/10 debut and I think the real test for Shaqiri will be whether at some point he will slip into becoming overconfident and selfish again – it's very early, but so far he seems determined to get on Klopp's good side and play and sound every bit like a team player.
Last edited: