Xherdan Shaqiri to face “unbelievable psychological pressure” in Serbia

Liverpool winger Xherdan Shaqiri will face “unbelievable psychological pressure” when Liverpool take on Red Star Belgrade in Serbia, according to the Mirror.

The Reds travel to Belgrade on November 6 for their Group C Champions League match with the Serbian club and a hostile atmosphere has been promised for Shaqiri, who was born in the former Yugoslav city of Gjilan to Kosovar Albanian parents, a former Serbian province that became independent in 2008.

The diminutive Swiss international controversially celebrated his last-minute winning goal for his country by performing an Albanian Eagle celebration in front of the Serbian fans.

Serbian does not recognise the province’s independence and many families, including Shaqiri’s, emigrated from Kosovo to neighbouring countries. Shaqiri’s family moved to Switzerland in 1992, and his potential appearance at the Rejko Mitic Stadium (or, the Marakana) will be hotly anticipated by Red Star supporters.

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LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – AUGUST 07: Xherdan Shaqiri of Liverpool controls the ball during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool and Torino at Anfield on August 7, 2018 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

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Red Star general director Zvezdan Terzić has moved to assure Liverpool that Shaqiri’s safety will be maintained during the game.

“Personally, I can’t imagine that an Albanian will play for Red Star,” said Terzić . “Red Star is a Serbian club, Partizan (Belgrade) was Yugoslav.

“I think that Shaqiri will be under unbelievable psychological pressure because he will know where he is coming, he knows that the Red Star is a symbol of Serbia and playing the Marakana, I don’t know whether he will play.

“Of course, as a soccer club, we treat our rivals equally, and we do not have to deal with the past and the history.

“Red Star must do everything to make Shaqiri feel that he came to play football and it is our duty to protect him in the case of unwanted situations. Let’s be good hosts!”

“We have been waiting for 27 years [to play in the Champions League again]. Probably many people think it’s a dream that Red Star are playing the Champions League and going to Napoli, PSG and Liverpool.

“The financial aspect is not negligible. Red Star will receive €18million, which will be a good base to realise many of our plans.

“We will stand on our feet with them. Red Star is definitely becoming a big club again.”

Shaqiri has yet to start a competitive game for Liverpool, but his substitute appearances so far have been encouraging.

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Source: anfieldhq.com