Xherdan Shaqiri has touted his ability to contribute in all attacking positions as he hunts for a spot in Liverpool’s starting lineup.
The Swiss international has been resigned to a place on the bench for Liverpool’s opening three Premier League games following his summer arrival from Stoke City.
It is a role he perhaps expected having been widely-deemed a source of strength in depth and a viable backup for the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane in wide areas.
Pre-season saw him preview a more versatile value in Liverpool’s attacking system as he was deployed out-wide, occasionally as a no.10 and even as a no.9.
Speaking in Saturday’s matchday programme, he said: “The manager has brought a few players in this summer with very good quality who are going to help a lot.”
“This team needed a little competition in various positions because that makes you better and makes you stronger so I am looking forward to the season and we have started very well.”
“I believe that I can play every position along the front line and the coach knows that.”
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Shaqiri could be in line for a start in the coming weeks on the back of Jurgen Klopp naming an unchanged starting eleven for each of Liverpool’s three opening games.
The 26-year-old offers an additional blend of creativity and goals to help combat deep-lying defensive setups from a central role.
His encouraging early impression has already eased concerns over the club’s failure to sign Nabil Fekir as a Philippe Coutinho replacement.
Besides offering a defence-splitting vision, he also serves as a valuable occupant of space in between the opposition midfield and defence capable of drawing out markers and paving gaps for his front three to exploit.
For him to be fighting for immediate first-team involvement is major vindication of his dedication to succeeding on Merseyside.