Klopp confirms Shaqiri is not travelling with team to Serbia

Liverpool have confirmed that Xherdan Shaqiri will not travel with the team to Serbia for the Champions League game against Red Star Belgrade.

There is some good news for the Reds as Dejan Lovren and Naby Keita will be making the trip having recovered from injuries.

Jurgen Klopp didn’t want to take attention away from the game and told the Liverpool website:

“We have heard and read the speculation and talk about what kind of reception Shaq would receive and although we have no idea what would happen, we want to go there and be focused 100 per cent on football and not have to think about anything else, that’s all.”

Shaqiri had a run in with the Serbian fans during the World Cup where he celebrated a goal for Switzerland.

Klopp also provided an update on our captain Jordan Henderson. The Englishman didn’t feature in our 1-1 draw against Arsenal at the weekend and wasn’t fit for the trip to Serbia.

“Hendo was close, but not close enough. He needs two proper sessions for his fitness, which he will get at Melwood, with Shaqiri and hopefully Clyney if he is back from illness. They both should be fine for the weekend.”

Liverpool have to get all three points against Red Star if we are to make our Champions League lives a little easier.

Our final group games are against Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain, and those won’t be easy fixtures at all.