[ad_1]
Xherdan Shaqiri has played and scored for seven different teams that have won the title during his long career. He’s not quite Liverpool’s most decorated player – that honor belongs to his former Bayern Munich teammate Thiago Alcantara – but he has won his titles in more different countries. Unlike the illustrious midfielder, Shaqiri has also known the ignominy of relegation.
Part of Stoke’s squad that dropped out of the Premier League in 2018, no one in the Liverpool squad knows more about success and failure than the little winger. “It was not a good time,” he said Sky Sports. “I know what it’s like when things aren’t going well.”
In Liverpool, everything is amplified. Moreover, even Stoke’s worst homerun this season has been just three straight losses. The defending champions are currently on an Anfield six-game losing streak on the rebound. The eyes of the world are on Liverpool and everyone is feeling it.
“Everything here is bigger. People outside talk a lot more. The club is so big that there are always people talking, left and right. It’s normal. It’s a big one. club and you have to manage that because we are also a great team, each team can have its ups and downs.
“We are human beings. But we try to stay calm.”
This human aspect is often forgotten but not within the club. “I haven’t seen my family for five or six months now. It hasn’t been easy for me too because I’m so close to my family. I can’t wait to see them again so I hope everything is okay. better soon. “
The pandemic is just one of the many complications that have made it a campaign fraught with pitfalls. Personal tragedy struck players and staff, injuries hampered continuity on the pitch and the absence of supporters was felt more keenly at Anfield than elsewhere.
“Everyone knows how our fans are when they push us. Everyone knows how many games we’ve managed to come back if we concede a goal. I think there are many, many games where you can see that, many examples, of course we miss them a lot.
“For small teams it is easier to come to Anfield without fans. There is no pressure. You can see it in many ways and in many games. Smaller teams have more chances.”
If that sounds like an excuse, it’s not the intention. “Obviously the performance hasn’t been what we wanted the last few months,” Shaqiri quickly adds.
This is just one explanation for how a team that had won 66 out of 80 games, the mentality freaks that seemed able to roll regardless, now find themselves so unconvinced. A top-four finish is always within reach, but something will have to change first.
“We have to get back on track and regain the confidence to win games. But we’re a great team and I’m pretty sure we’ll come back to winning ways.”
“We talk a lot together and the coach gives us the right directions. I don’t want to tell everyone what is being said in our locker room but we talk a lot and we know we have to come back stronger and give what they want. wants. on the ground. We have to stay positive. “
0:57
Jurgen Klopp says Diogo Jota’s return to fitness is really important
Liverpool missed Shaqiri. He lit up the victory over Midtjylland with his dancing feet in October, then provided a smart assist to Diogo Jota’s winner against West Ham shortly thereafter. But an injury in international service caused him to miss a key period.
Jurgen Klopp hailed his return to the starting lineup against Manchester United in January, singling him out with praise. In tough times, Shaqiri, now 29, has that streetfighter mentality, the battling qualities to thrive in the face of adversity.
“It’s important to stay mentally strong and that’s one of my strengths, to stay focused on the game even if it doesn’t go well. When the time comes, you have to be there.
“I’m a player who likes to take risks on the pitch. That’s what I’m trying to give the coach.”
He’s been trusted with more playing time lately, recently completing 90 minutes for the first time in a Premier League game since his goal against Everton in December 2019. “Going back and having some rhythm is important,” he said.
When he is fit and fluid, he is capable of magic. Perhaps the tournament goal scorer at Euro 2016, his first for Liverpool was also special – a wonderful kick over his debut against Manchester United in Michigan.
“There were 100,000 people in the stadium in America,” he recalls. “It was amazing to me.”
Was this his best goal?
“You never forget to score two goals against Manchester United and to score for Liverpool against Everton. Scoring in the derby will always be with me in my memories. But if I choose one, I choose the first against United in a friendly. “
“Not the most important but the most beautiful.”
0:53
Jurgen Klopp says his team are not thinking about Champions League glory yet
Aesthetics matter to him. Andrew Robertson recently said Shaqiri has the best left foot in the Liverpool squad, superior even to Mohamed Salah.
“My left foot isn’t bad, to be honest,” he laughs. “I showed it by practicing a bit with my free kicks or when I put one in the corner. Maybe that’s why they say I’m the best. But we have a lot. good left-handed players so I don’t like to say I’m the best. “
A few more gentle strokes before he’s finished, then?
“I hope so. I feel good, I feel in good shape.”
And there are goals ahead.
The Euros with Switzerland are important for Shaqiri and additional motivation to end the season strong. The Champions League prize is also there for Liverpool. “There are still a lot of games to play and a lot of things to accomplish.”
But if they are to have any hope of achieving that goal, form must improve and confidence must be restored – starting against Wolves at Molineux on Monday night.
“We are going there with better confidence now, for sure, after the Leipzig game where we won and kept a clean sheet. It can move us forward, especially in this game before the international break. If we gain three points. , we can go to the national team in a good mood. “
Shaqiri has had its ups and downs. He knows the supporters have been patient. He also knows that being at Liverpool brings expectations. This form will not be tolerated for long.
“We are trying. We just need to improve the performance and then I’m sure we can do it again. We have to stay positive and work hard.
“This club has to be successful. It has to be at the top.”
[ad_2]
Source link
