With Mohamed Salah potentially out of Liverpool’s game against Crystal Palace, Reds fans are split over whether Xherdan Shaqiri will be given the opportunity to impress in the Egyptian’s absence.
The 28-year-old, who joined from Stoke in 2018, has been struggling with an injury but could make a rare start for the Red’s in their trip to Selhurst Park next Saturday should he be deemed fit. Salah was replaced late on in Liverpool’s 3-1 win over Manchester City last weekend and was forced to miss out on Egypt’s international fixtures this week.
Shaqiri is yet to make a start for the Reds this season but could be called into action in place of Salah if he is deemed fit by manager Jurgen Klopp. Although, the German boss could opt to start Divock Origi in place of Salah after his recent goals from the bench.
Nevertheless, some Reds fans feel that Shaqiri needs a chance to impress, while other supporters feel his race may be run at Anfield.
Reaction from fans to Salah’s injury worries and Shaqiri’s potential return can be seen in the tweets below.
Looks like Shaq will never play for the Liverpool shirt again
— Lounes (@LounesLFC) November 14, 2019
Even then Klopp won’t start Shaq
— stricky (@strickyfootball) November 14, 2019
Shaq ain’t going to fill Salahs boots, especially with being out so long.
— JSpearz (@joespearo) November 14, 2019
I don’t think likes him tbh. Given the chance he can make a big impact I’m sure. Disappointing.
— Rikef Liban (@AtaqShaq) November 15, 2019
Shaq needs that chance to shine, he’s top quality and he can show it.
— Caleb (@AnfieldDaily1) November 14, 2019
Agreed, but this is shaqs opportunity, he needs a chance
— Irish R&B Singer McLovin (@YahboiNoah) November 14, 2019
Fans are seemingly split between wanting Shaqiri to start but also worrying that he may not be Klopp’s favourite player at the moment.
What do we think?
Shaqiri, who is valued at £22.5 million (as per Transfermarkt), proved himself as an excellent back-up at times for Liverpool last season; scoring six goals despite primarily featuring from the bench. The Swiss international has plenty of experience after his spells with Inter Milan and Bayern Munich and shouldn’t be written off as a reliable option for Jurgen Klopp in cases such as these.