Xherdan Shaqiri is out of action till November

Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders confirmed that Swiss star Xherdan Shaqiri will be out for a while with a calf injury.

The former Stoke City winger hasn’t featured much for us this season and last featured for the Reds in the loss to Napoli.

Lijnders was speaking before our Carabao Cup clash against Arsenal and confirmed Shaqiri will return in November after the international break (h/t Liverpool Echo

“Shaq will only be back after the international break.

“We want to give him the time. With a calf injury it is always very high risk, especially with his calves.”

Shaqiri isn’t the only player with a knock as Lijnders confirmed Joel Matip is also out for a while with a knee problem. The assistant manager allayed fears that Mohamed Salah is out for long after being substituted in the win over Tottenham:

“Mo is fine,” said Lijnders. “Towards the end of the game it is more precaution because the ankle gets more tired and he feels it a little bit more and we have to take him off. But he is fine, he is good.”

Liverpool could have done with Shaqiri

Although the Swiss winger doesn’t start regularly for us, he is one of the most creative players in the team.

Shaqiri could have featured in some of our cup games and would have handed a break to either Salah or Sadio Mane. The former Stoke City star had injury issues last season too and hopefully, he returns stronger than ever after the international break.

More Liverpool News

• Dejan Lovren has no regrets over failed summer move
• Raphael Honigstein backs Timo Werner to shine at Liverpool
• Liverpool one of three clubs linked with James Maddison

Shaqiri is set to miss some big games before the break, but he can still play an important role in the second half of the campaign.