Three things we learned from Xherdan Shaqiri’s interview

Takumi Minamino has been taken under the Powercube’s wing

Takumi Minamino joined Liverpool in January as Michael Edwards decided to take advantage of his small release clause that RB Salzburg had in his contract.

The Japanese international has been integrating with the first team squad since then, and Xherdan Shaqiri has been trying to smooth things over by including him in a much chat as possible – but in German.

Minamino would have learned the language during his five years spent in Austria, but now he’s got a different challenge to deal with as he tries to adjust to life on Merseyside.

Shaqiri added:

"“I like to be nice with everybody and joke with everybody. Or helping Minamino, you know – he speaks better German than English. It’s different in England. He needs to get used to the life here in England, too. If he needs something we are here and we help him. He has already integrated very well and I hope he can enjoy it here.”"

Growing up in Switzerland, the forward would have been exposed to all sorts of languages including French, German, Italian and English. Stints in the Bundesliga and Serie A would have helped him hone any skills that had gone flat, while his extensive time playing in the Premier League would have helped him improve his English.

That would make Shaqiri an incredibly useful man to have around the scene, especially when players from around Europe are trying to integrate with the rest of the squad.

Who knows what’ll happen with Minamino being taken under Xherdan Shaqiri’s wing, but hopefully when he leaves in the summer it won’t harm the Japanese international’s chances of becoming a first team player.