Liverpool attacking midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri was handed a surprise start against West Ham last night, with manager Jurgen Klopp opting to rest Roberto Firmino for the match at the London Stadium.
The Swiss international played at the tip of a midfield diamond and he played a number of neat one-touch passes and flicks to his teammates throughout the game. However, it was his excellent crossfield ball for Mo Salah’s second goal that got many supporters talking on Twitter:
Great performance ??
— Johan* (@Johan1892E) January 31, 2021
Magician. ?
— Guccied Up (@Gucc1edUp) January 31, 2021
What a great player , well done shaq ?????? #YNWA
— Jamil (@dr_jay130883) January 31, 2021
Sumptuous assist Shaq!
— (❛◡❛) ???? ☞ (@Oluwa__Seyi) January 31, 2021
Passing accuracy ?
— Jacob Larkman (@jacob_larkman) January 31, 2021
Bossssssss
— 23 ???✨ (@VintageXherdan) January 31, 2021
What an assist! ?
— John Taylor (@jonnyt78) January 31, 2021
That pass… first time as well!?????
— Scouser_Les_LFC #GTTO (@Scouser_Les_LFC) January 31, 2021
Great game and fantastic assist!
— Petar Soldo (@Petar_DRC) January 31, 2021
Since returning from injury, Shaqiri has been given a fair amount of game time by Klopp and the 29-year-old has paid back the faith shown in him by putting in a series of very good performances.
It looks like he will be rotated in and out of the starting eleven, and he may have to make way for Firmino when the Reds take on Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield on Wednesday evening.