Xherdan Shaqiri says he’s delighted to be back in action for Liverpool after his injury lay-off and has set his sights on silverware. The 27-year-old picked up a calf injury while on international duty with Switzerland in June and the initial diagnosis suggested he could be missing for the start of the 2019/20 season.
However, the former Stoke City and Bayern Munich forward has made a relatively quick recovery and is in line for his first appearance of the Reds’ pre-season when they take on Lyon in Switzerland on Wednesday.
With attacking trio Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane having returned late for pre-season due to international commitments, the sight of Shaqiri back on the field will be a boost for boss Jurgen Klopp and the Swiss is chomping at the bit to play again.
“I am really delighted to be back, to get started again and be back with the team,” he told the club website. “I am really happy that finally I am feeling really good and (I am ready) to help my team. “(Getting injured), this is life and this is football. I am really happy I didn’t miss the start of the season – it’s going to start soon and I am happy to be back before it.”
Shaqiri wants to play a big part in another successful season for Liverpool having lifted the Champions League last term, and has turned his attention towards Premier League glory. “Everybody is really hungry and we want to go again,” Shaqiri added. “We need to show everybody we can do it again and try to also be a little bit better in the Premier League than last year.”
