Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has been speaking about why it was such a good idea to snap up Stoke Citys Xherdan Shaqiri.
There had been rumours about the Swiss international joining the Anfield outfit for some time since last season came to a close, but there have been conflicting reports as to whether a not a deal would ever take place.
But on Friday the deal went through and Shaqiri became a Liverpool player for the bargain fee of just £13 million.
Liverpool fans had been split in their opinions as to whether the club should bother signing the player after they learned that he had fallen far below expectations over the past couple of seasons at the bet 365 Stadium.
But Klopp was happy to get his man last night, he declared that the signing was a complete “no-brainer”.
Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com, Klopp said: “I think the English phrase to explain the decision to sign Xherdan is a ‘no-brainer’. When someone like him becomes available in this way you have to react if you are smart – and we have.
“He has speed and ability, has the right amount of arrogance on the football pitch, real bravery to want the ball and influence things. To play for us these are mandatory requirements.”
Klopp knows Shaqiri well as the Liverpool boss has admired the player from when he was in Switzerland and Germany and he is convinced that he will fit in the current Anfield squad and be able to add something to their game.
He added: “Xherdan the person will fit in perfectly at Liverpool I believe. He has a personality and drive – he is someone who will feed off the positive emotion of our crowd. He joins a dressing room of really good lads and I know they will welcome him with open arms and help him settle and integrate quickly.”
As you can imagine, twitter has been very busy since the transfer…
I'm made up we've got him. Think he will be a super addition… #YNWA
— ???? (@TheShanklyGates) July 13, 2018
Won’t be long until shakiri is paying a visit to the dentist ????
— Vishal B (@LFC_VB_1982) July 13, 2018
Honestly think he could be a bigger player for us than anyone thinks, and he's a beast!!
— Andy Ray (@andyrayLFC) July 13, 2018
Slowly and steady the Liverpool squad getting great depth so much required for Premier League, Cups and Europe
— myfootballstaff (@myfootballstaff) July 14, 2018
When he sits on the home side bench and hears the fans belting out you’ll never walk alone he’s going to loveeeeeee it
— Rickdonkulous (@rickdonkulous8) July 14, 2018
When he sits on the home side bench and hears the fans belting out you’ll never walk alone he’s going to loveeeeeee it
— Rickdonkulous (@rickdonkulous8) July 14, 2018
He has bigger arms than VvD… wtf
— Die Jürg Reich (@46milliGuinea) July 14, 2018
Remember wen the little bastard scored at r end, n mocked us in his celebration..!.
Best he pays us back like….????— Gibbo (@Gibbo30Andrew) July 13, 2018
