Xherdan Shaqiri has created quite a stir after moving to Liverpool in the summer. Jurgen Klopp has slowly integrated Shaqiri into the Liverpool first team and the Swiss international could play a critical role in the coming months.
But, did you know that he was close to making a move to Liverpool back in 2014? Here are three things you probably didn’t know about Shaqiri.
#3 Treble winner
Shaqiri played a key role in Bayern Munich’s treble-winning campaign back in the 2012/13 season.
In what was his debut season with the Bavarians, Shaqiri had a hand in 20 goals in all competitions season as Bayern enjoyed one of their best seasons in club’s history.
He featured in five of Bayern’s six group games in the Champions League but played only two minutes of football during the knockout stages.
#2 No stranger to transfer speculations
Shaqiri revealed that he was linked with a move to Liverpool back in 2014. In fact, the player even wanted to leave the club as Brendan Rodgers contacted him a couple of times. But, a move was blocked by Bayern, who ended up selling the Swiss international in January.
Following his below-par stint with Inter Milan, Shaqiri was linked with a move to both of Bavarians’ league rivals in Borussia Dortmund and Schalke 04 back in 2015.
Dortmund eyed the Swiss international as an ideal replacement for Polish veteran Jakub Blaszczykowski while Schalke even went on to confirm their interest in the winger, who seemed like an ideal player to rejuvenate their attack at the time.
#1 Shaqiri is a hated figure amongst Serbians
Earlier this summer, Shaqiri was at the centre of attention for his controversial celebration in the World Cup. After scoring against Serbia in the 90th minute, the Liverpool star folded his hands to form a gesture resembling that of an Eagles, which refers to the national flag of Albania.
Shaqiri originates from the land of Kosovo, a nation that has declared itself free from Serbia back in 2008 even though the Balkan state is yet to recognise their independence. Thus, Shaqiri’s celebration sparked quite a controversy and for obvious reasons.
As a result, the Swiss international was left out of the squad for Liverpool’s travel to Red Star Belgrade, champions of Serbia, in an attempt to avoid any sort of political complications.
