‘Exceptional’: Manager and captain hail Liverpool player after international clash

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Switzerland boss Vladimir Petkovic has paid tribute to the ‘exceptional’ Xherdan Shaqiri after the Liverpool bench-warmer impressed during Tuesday’s 3-3 UEFA Nations League draw with Germany, while speaking to AZ.

For the second time in the space of a week, Joachim Low’s Germany conceded three goals in 90 chaotic minutes.

Just like Turkey a few days ago, Switzerland created chance after chance against a once-irrepressible side who, after yet another evening full of collective and individual blunders, feel more beatable than at any point of Low’s 14-year tenure.

Mario Gavranovic scored with a pair of clinical efforts either side of Remo Freuler’s gorgeous dink. But, while Switzerland will be disappointed not to claim three valuable points against their local neighbours, Petkovic was understandably thrilled to see his side outplay the 2014 World champions for the second time this season.

And one player in particular was on the former Lazio boss’s mind at full-time.

“When he’s in shape, he’s an exceptional talent and can help us a lot,” Petkovic said of Shaqiri. “He will be in better shape in November.”

“We all know what quality he can bring forward in the game. He showed that again against Germany,” captain Granit Xhaka added to Blick.

With Shaqiri’s only action in Liverpool colours this season coming in the 7-2 EFL Cup thrashing of Lincoln, he is often left waiting for the international break for some much-needed game time these days.

Petkovic will be concerned, however, that his most naturally gifted attacker will be more than a little undercooked when the Euros roll around with Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, Takumi Minamimo and now Diogo Jota ahead of him in the Liverpool pecking order.