Jurgen Klopp is expecting Xherdan Shaqiri to join up with his new Liverpool teammates when they fly out to the United States of America later this month.
Shaqiri completed his £13million move from Stoke City on Friday night, signing a long-term deal at the club as an addition to the Reds’ attacking strength in depth.
His involvement at the World Cup with Switzerland means he will not feature in Liverpool’s remaining friendly on home soil against Blackburn Rovers before the club travels to compete in the International Champions Cup tournament.
Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com: “Xherdan was in yesterday, which was nice. He is a nice fella. He will be back in the USA. Hopefully he will now take a holiday there because it will be pretty easy to join us there.”
“He will not come with us [from Liverpool] but he can be involved, which will be nice.”
SEE MORE:
Liverpool forward to join one of three Championship clubs this summer
Liverpool continued their pre-season preparations on Saturday with a toothless and somewhat ponderous goalless draw against Bury.
After a trip to Blackburn next Thursday, the Reds will meet Borussia Dortmund in the Bank of America Stadium in North Carolina on the Sunday.
The following week will see Klopp’s men face Manchester City and Manchester United, thereby giving Shaqiri a competitive introduction to his Liverpool career.
Games against Napoli in Dublin and Torino at Anfield will then conclude the club’s series of friendlies before the Premier League opener at home to West Ham.
Though Shaqiri arrives as an undoubted squad player, it is likely the swift turnaround after the World Cup and Liverpool’s busy schedule will see him play a key role as part of Klopp’s team rotation throughout the season.