Should Jurgen Klopp start Xherdan Shaqiri every week?

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Xherdan Shaqiri is outperforming the original expectations when he signed for Liverpool this summer, adding creativity to an area in which it can sometimes be lacking at Anfield.

He performed impressively against Fulham on Sunday, prompting calls from some fans to Jurgen Klopp that he should start him every week.

But should Klopp listen? There are strong arguments in favour of Shaqiri becoming a regular; he adds another dimension and more creativity in an area where Klopp’s alternatives are generally more physical.

He makes things happen, which gets fans excited, and he is perfect for certain types of games. Matches against lesser  sides, with deep defences, are ideal for Shaqiri.

Liverpool generally don’t need to be so defensively secure in those matches, and can open up into the 4-2-3-1 that gets the most out of Shaqiri.

But that should not become Klopp’s default approach. There are plenty of games which don’t suit Shaqiri as well and that high-octane 4-3-3 of last season is a more effective tactic, for many matches.

That means that Shaqiri should expect to drop to the bench for the trip to Watford after the international break.

He was signed as the ideal Plan B, and that’s exactly what he’s proving to be.