Jurgen Klopp apologises to Xherdan Shaqiri following rare Liverpool start

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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has offered an apology to forward Xherdan Shaqiri following a 5-2 win over Everton. The Reds boss made the comments to Evening Standard after thrashing their rivals at Anfield.

A brace from Divock Origi, Shaqiri, Sadio Mane and Gini Wijnaldum ensured another win for Liverpool.

Shaqiri made his first start for the Reds for seven months. He hadn’t been selected by Klopp since the Champions League win over Barcelona back in April.

The former Stoke City man hasn’t started a league game since January and Klopp wasn’t aware it had been that long.

When quizzed about it, he told Evening Standard: “Really? Sorry, Shaq! He was injured a couple of times.

“He looked completely fresh, he looked strong, physically strong, so it is important players train after they get injured. He had twice this calf thing this season, so there was not a lot to change. I think he has been back in training for two or three weeks now completely normal.

“He understood the situation. That’s how it is in a squad when you win games, you don’t make 20 changes. It was always clear at this stage of the season that we’d need all of the boys.”

Shaqiri was largely impressive last night. His performance certainly wasn’t one of a player who hasn’t started a game for seven months.

The 28-year-old will hope to play a few more games as the season progresses. On his day he can be a real asset for Liverpool and Klopp will need him throughout the campaign.

Opportunity

Given the high intensity of Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, there will become periods where they are in need of a rest.

Having players like Shaqiri and Origi in reserve will bode well as the season progresses and could hand them an edge on their rivals.

Shaqiri needs to stay fit. He has struggled with several niggling injury problems of late and he will hope to get some luck on that front.

Last night’s goalscoring performance will have done wonders for his confidence.

The £80,000-a-week (Spotrac) performer has the ability and he could still be a big player for Liverpool this season.