Xherdan Shaqiri on Klopp’s crucial pre-match instruction

Xherdan Shaqiri has explained how some personal managerial direction from Jurgen Klopp prior to the Huddersfield game paid dividends on the pitch for Liverpool.

Shaqiri’s pinpoint pass in the first half proved crucial, as it teed-up Mohamed Salah to slot home the only goal of the game.

The diminutive No. 23 told LiverpoolFC.com how his manager’s instruction played a key role in his pre-match preparations.

READ: Ovie Ejaria “really enjoying playing in Europe” with Rangers

HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 20: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates with Adam Lallana and Xherdan Shaqiri in Liverpool’s match against Huddersfield at the John Smith Stadium on 20 October 2018 in Huddersfield, England. (Photograph: Carl Recine/Action Images via Reuters)

READ: Andy Robertson on an “important” Huddersfield win

“I started off in a midfield three and it was also something new because normally I’m more offensive, but I think I can play this position,” Shaqiri explained.

“Offensively the coach wanted me to be between the lines and I tried sometimes and we scored the goal. I’m really happy that I played from the beginning and I tried to give the manager a good performance. I’m really happy with that.

“My teammates know that I’m a player who can play that last pass.

“It was a good pass from Joe [Gomez], I got the ball between the lines, I turned and it’s difficult sometimes to defend when I turn and am in front of defenders. Mo made a good run and I gave him a perfect pass so it was a good goal.”

Shaqiri acknowledged that Huddersfield were “tough” opponents but hailed his team’s ability to overcome such obstacles.

“It was difficult, we saw it in the game. Sometimes we made some simple mistakes which we normally don’t do so we gave them more little chances to go forward, but in the end these tough games you have to win and we did it,” Shaqiri said.

“Of course it was not simple and a lot of players were coming back after the international break, some with small injuries and illness, but we won and that’s football and I’m really proud that we won.

“I have said before a top team has to win all of the ugly and tough games. Good teams and top teams win games like this.

“Of course it was not the best football that we have played the fans have ever seen from us but at the end we won the game. We just keep going, analyse this game – what was good and not good – and then we close this game and look forward to the next one.”

The post Xherdan Shaqiri on Klopp’s crucial pre-match instruction appeared first on AnfieldHQ.

Source: anfieldhq.com