The Xherdan Shaqiri ‘revelation’ that surprised nobody

Liverpool inside forward Xherdan Shaqiri has come out with a ‘revelation’ that has surprised absolutely nobody.

Football Insider has reported that the Switzerland international wants to leave Anfield next season after hardly featuring since last December.

This comes a few months after Shaqiri told reporters he had a ‘beautiful year’ and was happy with his situation.

With a front three of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah, there are few players in the world who would arrive at Melwood and command a place in the first team straight away, and the former Stoke man isn’t one of those.

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But he recognises that, said Football Insider, and feels that his desire for regular football will never be filled with Liverpool. This is the least surprising revelation in football.

A persistent calf injury has prevented the Powercube from making any appearances since he played four minutes against Newcastle in September, and that must sting as well.

Xherdan Shaqiri signed a five-year deal last summer when the club signed him from Stoke for just £13 million. There have been times when that fee seemed like the bargain of the season, particularly when Shaq scored twice to help Liverpool beat Manchester United.

But appearances have been so sporadic since then that the 28-year-old has become a real fringe member of the squad – even if Jurgen Klopp seems to rate his ability to become an important part of the dressing room.

Klopp wouldn’t want to make any sales in January, said the report, but could sanction the move in the summer. Shaqiri is entering the final five years of his prime and would be keen to make sure they’re not wasted.

A further club on his CV would spark an unusual time of it for the Swiss star. Despite playing for Bayern Munich, Inter Milan and Liverpool there are few who would call him a global star. That could change if he gets the next one right.