Jurgen Klopp has named a team literally nobody would have predicted for the Merseyside Derby.
The boss has dropped Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Mo Salah and Roberto Firmino – bringing in James Milner, Adam Lallana, Divock Origi – and wait for it – XHERDAN SHAQIRI!
The Swiss has barely featured in 2019 after falling out of favour and then picking up a number of small injuries that have not been explained by the club.
But tonight, the playmaker known affectionately as Power Cube gets his chance – and against our local rivals.
Fans on Twitter were delighted to see Shaq given a rare opportunity – and many remembered what happened the last time Liverpool fielded this particular front-three of Sadio Mane, Shaqiri and Origi.
Liverpool beat Barcelona 4-0 at Anfield.
We’d take that tonight!
If we are struggling early on, we still have the likes of Salah and Firmino off the bench – who’ll potentially be able to put tired Everton legs to the sword in the second-half.
In case you’ve forgotten what happened the last time a front three of Shaqiri, Origi and Mane started a game: pic.twitter.com/8Q3AW7MyV9
— Laurie (@LFCLaurie) December 4, 2019
Still chuffed to see Shaqiri start, tbh.
— Ben Webb (@BenWebbLFC) December 4, 2019
Tbh I absolutely love this. Imagine spending your whole week preparing for Mo and Bobby and then all of a sudden Shaqiri comes back from hibernation and Big Divock leads the line to give T-Rex hands nightmares. 4D chess from Klopp. https://t.co/R4TilfB585
— An🇺🇾 (@AnfieldAn) December 4, 2019
Shaqiri made Man Utd to sack Jose Mourinho
Shaqiri will make Everton to sack Marco Silva too 👊👊
— ⚡️⚡️ (@its_me_axad) December 4, 2019
I am completely ignoring the fact that Klopp has fielded an XI that looks like it was decided via throwing darts at a board piss drunk; because Shaqiri is starting and he's the best player in existence.
Shaqiri brace incoming I am not even joking.
— Rex (@ThatRexGuy) December 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/chloooeee28/status/1202305861282082821
I’m actually so excited to see Shaqiri. Come on man look at our busy schedule. We can’t play Salah, Firmino, Ox every 3 games. Surprised Naby didn’t start. Maybe Hendo -Ox-Keita vs Bournemouth on Sat?
— 🇪🇸 (@LFCMerchant) December 4, 2019