Why Liverpool winger Xherdan Shaqiri is the best impact substitute in the Premier League

By Max Cohen

With the score precipitously tied at one apiece on Sunday at Anfield, Jurgen Klopp introduced Xherdan Shaqiri to the fray in the 70th minute.

Just under three minutes later, the Swiss winger slammed Liverpool in front. Seven minutes after that, he’d made it 3-1.

After Shaqiri’s match-winning cameo against Manchester United, Liverpool’s summer signing showed why he is currently the best impact substitute in the Premier League.

Although the attacker experienced relegation as part of last season’s Stoke City side, Shaqiri earned a massive step up over the summer when joining Liverpool for a bargain price.

While Shaqiri has found starts hard to come by at Anfield, the Swiss international has scored three of his five goals when coming off the bench, in addition to supplying a further assist.

(Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

The diminutive winger provides the ideal combination of energy and power in the closing minutes of matches, and against United, his movement and acceleration bamboozled the tiring Red Devils defence.

Both of his strikes were the result of Shaqiri getting in excellent positions ahead of the opposition, revealing his danger when coming off the bench.

After his brilliant brace against Manchester United, Xherdan Shaqiri made his case for the Premier League’s most influential substitute while sending Liverpool top of the table in the process.