Xherdan Shaqiri yet again linked with a move to Galatasaray
According to a report by Fotomac (h/t Liverpool Echo), Liverpool winger Xherdan Shaqiri has been linked yet again with a move to Galatasaray. Shaqiri has been linked with a move to the Turkish giants in the past but this time the indication has come from Galatasaray’s manager Fatih Terim.
Terim feels that Shaqiri “would not refuse a loan move in January”. The Turkish manager apparently went on a scouting trip to watch the Liverpool winger in action for Switzerland in the UEFA Nations League. (h/t Liverpool Echo)
The situation could be further helped if Shaqiri wants to secure more playing time before the UEFA European Championship takes place in the summer. The 29-year-old started for Switzerland in their do-or-die UEFA Nations League encounter against Spain on Saturday; a match which ended 1-1.
Shaqiri has always looked effective when he has come off the bench for us. However, he has only seen 51 minutes of Premier League action this campaign. His recurring knocks and doubts over his match fitness continue to plague his time here in Merseyside.
Shaqiri has started only 13 Premier League games for us since his move from Stoke City in the summer of 2018. Nevertheless, he has been effective whenever he has played.
The Swiss international has a goal or an assist every 117 minutes in the Premier League for us. Such a stat becomes vital when Klopp wants a player to come on and change the game from the bench, as Shaqiri did against West Ham United.
Given our injury problems to key midfielders this season, a player of Shaqiri’s versatility and quality would be vital as we head into a busy winter period.
A decision to loan him to Turkey (or anywhere for that matter) in January, therefore, may not be the wisest decision the club can make, especially with us still gunning for trophies on three fronts.
