Danny Murphy says ‘liability’ Arsenal midfielder Xhaka would flourish for Liverpool

Add as preferred source on Google

Pundit Danny Murphy has suggested maligned Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka would be great for Liverpool.

The 27-year-old started against Leeds United in the FA Cup on Monday night, and was his usual combative self at the Emirates Stadium.

The Switzerland international got stuck in, and somehow managed to finish the game without a yellow card to his name.

Picking up cautions has always been something of a staple in Xhaka’s game, and it is something that has been known to frustrate some Arsenal fans.

In the eyes of Murphy, Xhaka struggles in the Gunners engine room but would be far better in the Premier League leaders’ side.

He said on talkSPORT: “If Xhaka was in Liverpool’s side with Henderson and Fabinho, he would look a hell of a player because he is technically good, a good passer, has a great shot on him and he has the ability with his great left foot to open you up.

“But when you are playing in a team that is struggling a bit, he is a passenger defensively and a liability.”

TBR’s view – Xhaka needs quality and mobility around him

To an extent, Murphy is right.

Xhaka does have some good qualities but they are often overshadowed by his rashness and defensive shortcomings.

That rashness often comes about when he is on the back foot or is isolated.

If he had players around him who could support him and bail him out of sticky situations, then he’d potentially be a top player.

It would definitely be interesting to see him play a few games in the Liverpool midfield to see if Murphy’s theory would ring true – although that’s highly unlikely to ever happen.