For Xherdan Shaqiri, it has been tough trying to earn a spot in the first-team of Jurgen Klopp. Considering Liverpool FC has a loaded lineup, the Swiss winger needs to contend with big names such as Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. And from the looks of it, he will have a tough season ahead trying to crack that mix.
Despite the odds of him cracking that mix being low, the 28-year-old is keeping the faith. Rather than explore options in the transfer market, Shaqiri hopes to do better for the coming season. And one of the things he needs to immediately address is his health. Injuries have added to his struggles, a reason why he made only 11 appearances across all competitions last season. He shared some of his plans via the official club website.
"Always if you are injured or if you are not playing, you're frustrated,” Shaqiri said. “But I'm looking forward to this season and trying to help the team all the time, so I have the chance to play like the first season."
Considering he is part of a successful team, making the most out of what he is given right now maybe in his best interest. He needs to figure out how to stay healthy and perform well. It is something that has hounded him and he can use the coming season to figure out how to more durable.
"As a team, I just want us to achieve a lot of things. I think we have a lot of good players in our team, everyone can play and we try to make it very difficult for the coach as always," he said. "I'm trying to give my best too and to help the team to win games, titles – that's the most important thing for me.”
Weeks after ending a successful campaign, The Reds are now back in pre-season training. The COVID-19 pandemic altered the schedule of football action, something that may or may not work to the Swiss football player's advantage. The Premier League 2020-21 season starts on Sept. 12.
Regardless of whatever role he may have for the upcoming season, Shaqiri is high that the Reds can win successive titles for the first time since Liverpool's consecutive triumphs from 1981 to 1984.
"It's very difficult but we try to achieve again a lot of things and we want to win a lot of games," Shaqiri said. "We have the capacity, we have the team who is still hungry and wants to win many titles."
