Klopp: Shaqiri adapting well

Jurgen Klopp has declared himself ‘completely happy’ with what he has seen thus far from summer signing Xherdan Shaqiri.

Shaqiri was handed his first start against Southampton last weekend and played a key role in two of his side’s goals before being withdrawn half-time.

He also made the starting XI for the Carabao Cup meeting with Chelsea in midweek and, in spite of the ultimate scoreline, impressed.

It was doubtless an encouraging performance, but at the full-time whistle Klopp was seen angrily relaying a point to the Swiss international.

He took the opportunity in his pre-match press conference to explain what happened.

“A German newspaper said I had an argument with Shaqiri on the pitch. I didn’t,” he said. “Only to make it clear, I didn’t. It was only that he was the first one involved that I met.

“It was after the free-kick we had and I wanted to do it differently. He was not even involved in the free-kick, but it was only about that.”

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When he first arrived, Klopp says Shaqiri was given a licence to express himself rather than being immediately subjected to the demands of a new style of play.

Now the £13million addition is under pressure to meet Klopp’s expectations, but the boss is confident the new way of playing will soon come to feel natural.

“When he came in, what I wanted from him is that he really only plays completely free; he doesn’t think about anything and plays football,” he revealed.

“I didn’t want to bother him and fill him up with information about the way we play, the way he has to defend and the way he has to run.

“I wanted to see how he adapted and it was pretty good in the pre-season, you saw that.

DUBLIN, IRELAND – AUGUST 04: Xherdan Shaqiri of Liverpool during the international friendly game between Liverpool and Napoli at Aviva Stadium on August 4, 2018 in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

“Of course, for the long term, you need to get used to all of these different things more and more – and he has made big steps in that.

“Again, like it always is, when you use this information then you lose a little bit from the natural skills for a few days, weeks or whatever because you think a bit more on the pitch.

“As you should because it’s football and as I’ve said a few times, it should be more instinct than thinking too much, so you have to do it often so you don’t have to think about it anymore.

Klopp’s ultimate appraisal was overwhelmingly positive.

“I am completely happy,” he said. “He has had a fantastic impact, he is a really good player and a good boy.”

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Source: anfieldhq.com