While the Nabil Fekir deal was falling apart on Friday, Liverpool met with Xherdan Shaqiri’s representatives simultaneously.
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Ranking the Echo’s five Fekir alternatives, including world-class Spaniard
That’s a claim from Dean Jones of Bleacher Report, who says we’re considering a deal for the relegated Stoke talisman.
Liverpool held talks with Shaqiri representatives on Friday as they look into a possible deal
— Dean Jones (@DeanJonesSoccer) June 11, 2018
As an alternative for Fekir, Shaqiri would be very uninspiring, but the 26-year-old is only designed to bolster the squad and not replace Coutinho – which is why we were targeting the Lyon playmaker in the first place.
This means if Shaqiri signs, we’ll still be after another marquee attacking midfielder.
Shaqiri has 15 goals in three seasons with the Potters, which for a player of his ability, is quite poor, in truth.
He has been playing alongside significantly worse team-mates though, and will likely do better under Jurgen Klopp than Paul Lambert, for example.
The Swiss international has the penchant for genius, a terrific left-foot and can play on either flank.
Providing the fee is small, we don’t think signing Shaqiri is a bad idea, providing we secure a top notch Coutinho replacement, assuming Fekir isn’t happening.