Xherdan Shaqiri has been exceptional for Liverpool this season, when deployed.
It took a while for the Swiss to get himself in the side, but when Jurgen Klopp has decided to use him, he’s displayed his incredible talent.
Against Red Star on Wednesday evening, Shaqiri floated around the final third and created chances for fun, registering a sublime assist for Mo Salah and playing a vital role in Roberto Firmino’s opener, too.
But when we signed Shaqiri, there was a few strange noises from his former club Stoke about his work-rate, especially from Charlie Adam.
Peter Crouch has explained, however, that inside the dressing room, there was a belief that Shaqiri would take to Anfield like like a duck to water.
“To see him thriving for Liverpool, then, comes as no surprise to me,” Crouch told theDaily Mail. “When he got his move to Anfield in the summer, I said to a few of the lads in our dressing room that he would go there and rip it up and that is what he has been doing over the last few weeks.
“People say it is impossible to break up Liverpool’s three-man attack of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane when they are all fit but if anyone is going to do it, Shaqiri can. In terms of ability, he is up there with the best I’ve played with. Trust me, he can be whatever he wants to be.
“You need belief in yourself to thrive at Anfield and that is something he has got in abundance. Nobody has ever doubted his talent and now it seems he is maturing. Perhaps he appreciates what an opportunity he has been given.
“Liverpool look the real deal this season. Shaqiri might just be the man who provides the final ingredient to the team. He is genuinely special — it’s up to him to prove it.”
Hopefully Shaqiri will start today against Cardiff and continue to show what he’s capable of.
In terms of talent, he’s definitely good enough to be a regular starter, but it depends on the formation Jurgen Klopp is willing to deploy.
If we play a 4-2-3-1, Shaqiri is the perfect option for the no.10 due to his creative qualities.