Xherdan Shaqiri has started just two Premier League games for Liverpool, but is his place under threat with Athletic Bilbao’s Iker Muniain linked?
Plenty of eyebrows were raised when Liverpool signed Xherdan Shaqiri in the summer. The Swiss international had been relegated with Stoke City last season after all and, in truth, his performances for the Potters were erratic at best.
But Shaqiri has quickly silenced those who thought he would barely get a look-in at Anfield. The 27-year-old might have started just two Premier League games, but he has shone whenever given a chance, scoring his first Liverpool goal with a sublime finish in the 4-1 weekend win against Cardiff City.
This has not prevented speculation suggesting Shaqiri could be on his way out of Liverpool, months after they triggered the £12 million relegation clause in his Stoke contract.
Marca claimed this week that Jurgen Klopp is keen to sign Athletic Bilbao play-maker Iker Muniain, who is due to become a free agent at the end of the season with a pre-contract offer on the table.
El Gol Digital reports that ambitious La Liga club Real Betis aim to take full advantage by taking Shaqiri to Spain. The arrival of Muniain would certainly make life difficult for the former Bayern Munich and Inter Milan winger, whose opportunities have already been limited.
But whether Liverpool are ready to sacrifice Shaqiri already to make room for Muniain remains to be seen.
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