Liverpool may have been declared Premier League champions already, but one man is not being called a champion after the outcome was known – that man, Xherdan Shaqiri.
According to Arno Rossini, the former Stoke City attacker did very little to cause an impact in Liverpool’s triumph in the 2019/20 top-flight season.
Shaqiri has only made six appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s team in the league this campaign, and his only game in 2020 was as a substitute in the 1-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur in January.
In those six appearances, the Switzerland international has netted just once, coming against Everton in the Merseyside Derby at Anfield.
The outings also guarantee him a Premier League, which will join the collection of league title medals with Bayern Munich in 2013 and 2014.
But Rossini feels Shaqiri is not worthy to be called a champion after only becoming more of a spectator than a player.
“Xherdan is not a champion,” the former Sion manager told Tio. “We certainly cannot say that he left his mark with the teams with which he won.
“Not with the big guys at least. He was the protagonist in Basel, certainly not at Bayer or Liverpool. Let’s say that over the years he has often followed the games of his teams as a spectator, sitting in the best places. And millions have also been paid for it.
“This, taking everything into account, makes me think that the Swiss is not one who always gives his best. If not as owner, at least one important reserve role, from first choice on the bench, (he) would otherwise have managed to carve it (a place in the team) out. Instead nothing. Only the crumbs, for a disheartening situation.
“Of course, Xherdan is filling the bulletin board and seeing his bank account grow dramatically; I don’t know how many, in ten years, will remember him thinking about the great teams in which he has played.”
Since making a move to join the Reds, Shaqiri has made 40 appearances for the club, scoring on seven occasions.
