Xherdan Shaqiri is “Ready for the Moment”

Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Jürgen Klopp says Shaqiri is training alive and well.

ssss‘Tis the time of the season for building momentum at Liverpool and Jürgen Klopp is not likely to inflict too much change upon his starting XI at the beginning of the campaign. That means the likes of Xherdan Shaqiri, Divock Origi and Adam Lallana have had to wait quite a while for any significant minutes on the pitch.

On Shaqiri specifically, Klopp said he was happy with the player in training and reiterated that the lack of rotation in the team so far this season is part of the plan and not indicative of poor training throughout the squad.

“Shaq is training well, that’s the situation,” said Klopp.

”It’s the first four weeks of the season, that’s how it is. That’s probably the hardest period for players who are not [playing].

”In training, Shaq doesn’t have to improve in any way if he can keep the level he is doing at the moment.

”Of course he can improve like how everybody can improve, but it’s not about that – he doesn’t have to show anything special.

”We will need him, he knows that 100 per cent.”

Shaqiri has been a solid pick-up since his arrival from a newly-relegated Stoke City. The Swiss attacker hasn’t ever really been tested with an extended run in the side but Shaqiri has been lively and effective when called on to perform.

He seems to be a positive personality in the squad. Klopp confirming Shaqiri’s importance to the Liverpool cause will only strengthen the player’s confidence in training.

“Is he the happiest player in the squad?” Klopp said. “I don’t think so. Can I see that on the training pitch? No.

”He is in a good mood, training hard, doing what he has to do and is ready for the moment when he has to help the team on the pitch.”

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com