Topic: Xherdan Shaqiri - Sponsored by The Cube

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Hopefully the injury isn't serious will need him at some point or another

[Romford_Red]

Xherdan is injured and has left the Swiss training camp. Inflamed groin is the diagnosis.

I've had that 'injury'

[Lofty Ambitions]

Bummer, getting a couple of full game under his belt would have served him well I assume. Hopefully nothing too serious.

[Too early for flapjacks?]

Didn't Klopp mention about a month ago that he'd been struggling with an abdominal issue? May explain why he's featured so little and has withdrawn from the Swiss squad.

[rafathegaffa83]

He just hasn't been good for a while now. It's been a while since his subs made an impact.

So is this why he's hardly played in weeks?

[Dench57]

He just hasn't been good for a while now. It's been a while since his subs made an impact.

It's hard to make an impact when you're not on the pitch. He's played less than 45 minutes since Feb 1st.

[jepovic]

It's hard to make an impact when you're not on the pitch. He's played less than 45 minutes since Feb 1st.

Like I wrote, it's been a long time since his subs made an impact so there hasn't been much reason for Klopp to play him more. There's no need to speculate about disciplinary issues. I think he's been a very solid recruitment and I didn't expect him to be a starter.

Personally, I think he should be used as a winger in 433, to give Salah and/or Mane some rest, rather than as some kind of playmaker. It seems more natural for his strengths.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Disagree. I think he's better as a 10, then he is as an actual winger. While he can play there, his game is best suited when he's play centrally. The problem is in order for him to play there, he'll have to improve his work rate off the ball and pressing [not saying he doesn't work hard but in a midfield under Klopp it's a different level]

When he plays we have to adjust, which we have done, but there are reaasons he hasn't played imo

- injury
- not having the strengths needed for Klopp to seelct him against certain opponents [Klopp's words, paraphrased about him lacking in height for set pieces for defending in certain matches ]
- him not performing at his previous high level when he did play.

I still think he'll have a major role to play with the games left.

[Agent99]

Can anyone jog my memory to the poor games he had in 2019?

[deFacto please, you bastards]

Can anyone jog my memory to the poor games he had in 2019?

Perhaps poor is too strong of a word, more like subdued or indifferent.

Leicester,Brighton, are both games that he started in and I don't think he stood out, Leicester more so than Brighton [I believe he had two chances to score in against Brihton, one was a glancing header] His sub appearances against West Ham and Palace weren't particularly noteworthy.

[RedForeverTT]

That sums up the difference between us and the 2 Manchester teams in terms of squad depth.

We have the Cube on the sub bench and couldn't even afford to keep Clyne, while City have the riches bring on former PL player of the year, German young player of the year or a Spanish world cup winner to change a game. Utd have a French world cup winner and the highest salaried player in the world waiting to come on.

[PoetryInMotion]

I've had that 'injury'

Me too. Quite pleasurable before you have the problem  and then feels dreadful as it can get difficult to even walk with it depending on exact location and size of inflammation.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

We have the Cube on the sub bench and couldn't even afford to keep Clyne,

What do you mean we couldn't afford to keep Clyne? Financially or ?

[Funky_Gibbons]

That sums up the difference between us and the 2 Manchester teams in terms of squad depth.

That explains why United and City are so far ahead of us in the League and have gone further in the Champions League.

Utd have a French world cup winner and the highest salaried player in the world waiting to come on.

BTW, rather than describing him as the "highest salaried player in the world", you could just call him Alexis Sanchez, doesn't look half as dramatic now though.

[Dubred]

That explains why United and City are so far ahead of us in the League and have gone further in the Champions League. BTW, rather than describing him as the "highest salaried player in the world", you could just call him Alexis Sanchez, doesn't look half as dramatic now though.

We do love a bit of drama though 

[Giono]

That sums up the difference between us and the 2 Manchester teams in terms of squad depth.

We have the Cube on the sub bench and couldn't even afford to keep Clyne, while City have the riches bring on former PL player of the year, German young player of the year or a Spanish world cup winner to change a game. Utd have a French world cup winner and the highest salaried player in the world waiting to come on.

It has gotten United where? And Man City is how many points above us?

Clyne wanted out. He wasn't even on the bench. Is he really playing well at Bournemouth?

Sturridge, Origi and Shaq have got us key goals off the bench. That ain't bad.

We have Hendo/Fab or Milner/Lallana or Keita on the bench with Ox coming soon. That ain't bad.

[Sharado]

We have the Cube on the sub bench and couldn't even afford to keep Clyne,

If we win the league this year I hope clyne gets a medal, he gets talked about on this forum more than most of the lads that actually play for us.

[AR48]

A lot of important moments before Christmas.

[Agent99]

Perhaps poor is too strong of a word, more like subdued or indifferent.

Leicester,Brighton, are both games that he started in and I don't think he stood out, Leicester more so than Brighton [I believe he had two chances to score in against Brihton, one was a glancing header] His sub appearances against West Ham and Palace weren't particularly noteworthy.

Fair enough mate. I understand if we have to change the system too much to incorporate him but I have seen enough average performances from other regulars in the side who haven't been dropped that's all.

[RedForeverTT]

We haven’t won anything yet and not as if we were leading the pack by 10points.

1 Manchester team already won the league cup and both clubs have advanced into the FA cup further than us. That’s evidence of squad depth. You seem to have forgotten that.

Being fans doesn’t mean we have to be oblivious to lack of depth compared to our competitors. Just like to be realistic about our financial might in comparison.

[Barneylfc∗]

We haven’t won anything yet and not as if we were leading the pack by 10points.

1 Manchester team already won the league cup and both clubs have advanced into the FA cup further than us. That’s evidence of squad depth. You seem to have forgotten that.

Being fans doesn’t mean we have to be oblivious to lack of depth compared to our competitors.

We've got further in the European Cup than Man Utd and we're about 40 points clear of them in the league. What is that evidence of?

[Sir Capon of Debaser]

We've got further in the European Cup than Man Utd and we're about 40 points clear of them in the league. What is that evidence of?

Lack of squad depth mate.Cant you read?

[CHOPPER]

[Funky_Gibbons]

We haven’t won anything yet and not as if we were leading the pack by 10points.

1 Manchester team already won the league cup and both clubs have advanced into the FA cup further than us. That’s evidence of squad depth. You seem to have forgotten that.

Being fans doesn’t mean we have to be oblivious to lack of depth compared to our competitors. Just like to be realistic about our financial might in comparison.

How is Man Utd going further in the FA Cup evidence that they've got a better squad than us rather than us being 18pts clear of them being evidence we've got a better squad than them? The irony is Man Utd were knocked out of the FA Cup by the same team that knocked us out, great squad depth hey.

I reckon most people agree we need a better squad, but your reasoning is absurd.

[Giono]

We haven’t won anything yet and not as if we were leading the pack by 10points.

1 Manchester team already won the league cup and both clubs have advanced into the FA cup further than us. That’s evidence of squad depth. You seem to have forgotten that.

Being fans doesn’t mean we have to be oblivious to lack of depth compared to our competitors. Just like to be realistic about our financial might in comparison.

Comparing FA Cup runs is not a great comparative measure. Too much of a lottery.


League is where squad depth comes truly into play due to injuries, suspensions, fixture congestion challenges. Also in the league each club faces the same opponents.[size=78%] [/size]

[Giono]

I've heard that ManU's bench is so deep that the only evidence is scratches all over Lukaku.

[Ghost Town]

I've heard that ManU's bench is so deep that the only evidence is scratches all over Lukaku.

Excellent. Well played, mate

[gkmacca]

Poor Shaq isn't even figuring much in his own thread!

[Mutton Geoff]

So is this why he's hardly played in weeks?

Aye that buggers up all the conspiracy theorists suggesting he is pissing off the manager

[SteveZissou]

Many of you don't know but I run the Looper Youtube channel along with my wife Nicki Swift and because this is the Liverpool forum, I felt that naturally this would be the right place to share my all-important Youtube video created just for you:

Title: Why Klopp won't cast Xherdan Shaqiri anymore
Content: For one reason or another Klopp certainly has a list of players he won't be casting in 2019. We reveal that because of Shaq's new-found spiritual discoveries related to the Kosovo UFO cult and his controversial views on Orthodox Christianity in the Premier League elite cult expose of under-age players moving across Eastern Europe into the West, Xherdan who's actually a Muslim and against the war on terror is never going to wear the red shirt for Liverpool ever again.

Now you know.................................sorry, it's the international break.

[mattD]

Xherdan is injured and has left the Swiss training camp. Inflamed groin is the diagnosis.

Well, when you’re just sitting around on the bench with nothing to do, then who can blame him?

[SinceSixtyFive]

That sums up the difference between us and the 2 Manchester teams in terms of squad depth.

We have the Cube on the sub bench and couldn't even afford to keep Clyne, while City have the riches bring on former PL player of the year, German young player of the year or a Spanish world cup winner to change a game. Utd have a French world cup winner and the highest salaried player in the world waiting to come on.

Which is why, as a fellow Liverpool supporter (and when we all obviously have a choice as to which team we support) I have absolutely no doubt that the fact we are not a "Money Club" is a factor in your rabid support for our wonderful team. 

[Caligula?]

I really do wonder what's happened between the lad and Klopp.

[Redcap]

I really do wonder what's happened between the lad and Klopp.

I mean, he's said no things and has made the bench when fit. So my sense is Klopp has not exiled him from the squad.

It's odd that he hasn't played though. I don't really understand it. We've been in multiple situations over the past few games where we've needed a goal and each time someone else has come on instead of him. In which case, what is he actually doing on the bench?

[RedG13]

I mean, he's said no things and has made the bench when fit. So my sense is Klopp has not exiled him from the squad.

It's odd that he hasn't played though. I don't really understand it. We've been in multiple situations over the past few games where we've needed a goal and each time someone else has come on instead of him. In which case, what is he actually doing on the bench?

My guess is he may still not be 100% from his injury but he still wants him as an option

[rushyman]

It’s weird the press aren’t asking Klopp about him by now

It’s just plain weird. He was pushing for a starting place after United at home

[Redcap]

My guess is he may still not be 100% from his injury but he still wants him as an option

He wasn't coming on before his injury either though.

He hadn't played for about 4 weeks before he was ruled out with the injury for Switzerland. It's a real mystery.

[harleydanger]

I'd suggest he has an injury that lets you play but no where near 100%, like an abdominal tear or similar.

[Redcap]

Maybe. A bit like Hendo's injury a couple of years ago perhaps.

[deFacto please, you bastards]

It's weird if you want it to be weird.