Sports

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp dubs Xherdan Shaqiri transfer a no-brainer

1176

Jurgen Klopp explains why he ordered Liverpool to sign Xherdan Shaqiri — Xherdan Shaqiri is now a Liverpool player (Picture: Getty)

Jurgen Klopp has described signing Xherdan Shaqiri as a no-brainer after Liverpool confirmed the capture of the forward.

Stoke City pocketed a £13million transfer fee for the sale and Shaqiri becomes Liverpools third summer signing.

Shaqiri has played against Liverpool as a Stoke player, and Klopp believes the 26-year-old has the perfect mentality to thrive at Anfield.

More: Football

Liverpool activated Shaqiris release clause after Stokes relegation and Klopp explained why he could not pass up the chance to bring the Switzerland to the club.

I think the English phrase to explain the decision to sign Xherdan is a no-brainer. When someone like him becomes available in this way you have to react if you are smart – and we have, Klopp told the club website.

Advertisement Advertisement

He has speed and ability, has the right amount of arrogance on the football pitch, real bravery to want the ball and influence things. To play for us these are mandatory requirements.

We are the perfect move for him in this moment as well I think, because he needs to push himself and challenge himself and our environment encourages that.

We will want him to express himself but also learn and improve the areas of his game where he can still make progression.

From our perspective, he is someone who makes a big difference to the squad and team, because he can fit in so many positions in our system.

TOPSHOT - Switzerland's forward Xherdan Shaqiri celebrates after winning the Russia 2018 World Cup Group E football match between Serbia and Switzerland at the Kaliningrad Stadium in Kaliningrad on June 22, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Patrick HERTZOG / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - NO MOBILE PUSH ALERTS/DOWNLOADSPATRICK HERTZOG/AFP/Getty Images — Shaqiri shone for Switzerland in the World Cup (Picture: AFP)

He gives us greater flexibility in how we can use our current players also. This is cool.

I know him well from his time in Switzerland and especially Germany – I have been a long-time admirer.

But the added bonus now is that he knows the Premier League and what it takes to perform in this uniquely intense environment.

He also did really well at the World Cup – so he comes to us full of belief and confidence.

Finally, Xherdan the person will fit in perfectly at Liverpool I believe. He has personality and drive – he is someone who will feed off the positive emotion of our crowd.

He joins a dressing room of really good lads and I know they will welcome him with open arms and help him settle and integrate quickly.

Advertisement Advertisement

MORE: Liverpool complete signing of Xherdan Shaqiri from Stoke City

MORE: Dejan Lovren claims he is one of the best defenders in the world after Croatia beat England