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Jurgen Klopp: Xherdan Shaqiri Will Not Play vs. Red Star over Reception Concerns
November 5, 2018
Jurgen Klopp has explained that Xherdan Shaqiri will not make the trip with Liverpool to face Red Star Belgrade on Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League amid concerns he will receive a hostile reception.
Shaqiri was fined by FIFA for making an Albanian "double-eagle" gesture while celebrating Switzerland's 2-1 win over Serbia at the 2018 World Cup, and Klopp wants the focus in Tuesday's match to be on football.
He told Liverpool's official website:
"We have heard and read the speculation and talk about what kind of reception Shaq would receive and although we have no idea what would happen, we want to go there and be focused 100 per cent on football and not have to think about anything else, that's all.
"We are Liverpool FC, a big club, a football team, but we don't have any message further than that. We have no political message, absolutely not. We want the focus to be on a great game of football, free from anything else.
"We are keen to be respectful and keen to avoid any distractions that would take focus away from a 90-minute-plus contest that is important for football and only football. So for that reason, Shaq is not involved and he accepts and understands this. Shaq is our player, we love him, and he will play for us a lot of times, but not on Tuesday."
Shaqiri, along with Granit Xhaka and Stephan Lichtsteiner, avoided two-match bans over the incident but were hit with a financial penalty for breaching FIFA's rules on displaying political symbols.
Xhaka and Shaqiri both have Albanian and Kosovan heritage. Serbia have not recognised Kosovo's independence since it was declared in 2008 and launched a crackdown on Albanian separatists that required NATO's intervention in 1999.
Football writer Leanne Prescott believes the winger will be missed but understands why Liverpool have taken such a decision:
Football writer Dinesh Hardayal has been impressed with the 27-year-old:
Shaqiri has provided three assists for Liverpool since his arrival in the summer, including one against Red Star in their visit to Anfield, and he has also found the net once.
He has not only looked to create chances for his team-mates, but he has also helped bridge the gap between the Reds' midfield and forwards and shown that he isn't simply a back-up if the likes of Sadio Mane or Mohamed Salah need a rest.
That said, a team of Liverpool's quality shouldn't need him to overcome Red Star even away from home. The Serbian side did hold Napoli to a draw at the Rajko Mitic Stadium, but if the Reds play to the standard they're capable of, then they should be bringing three points back with them.