Swiss boss labels Liverpool ‘spectator’ Shaqiri a ‘non-champion’

Will Ford
Xherdan-Shaqiri Liverpool

Liverpool star Xherdan Shaqiri has been slammed by Swiss manager Arno Rossini, who claims he is “not a champion”.

Jurgen Klopp’s men finally ended their 30-year wait for a Premier League title last week, after blowing away their rivals.

The Reds have been the best side all year, holding a 23-point lead over Manchester City heading into Thursday’s clash.

The likes of Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Jordan Henderson and Sadio Mane have all played starring roles in the triumph.

Klopp also opted against rotating too much from the side which won the 2019 Champions League trophy. That left less game time for the players like Divock Origi, Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren.

But there are still 21 Liverpool players guaranteed a Premier League winner’s medal – having played five or more appearances.

Shaqiri just about scrapes in, having played six games, although his last appearance was a one-minute cameo back in January.

 

 

The 28-year-old has struggled with injury issues all season long, with strong speculation that he is set to leave Anfield in the summer.

But if he does move on, he will do so as a Premier League champion. Adding that to his two Bundesliga titles and three Swiss Super League’s

But Rossini, who has managed a number of clubs in the Swiss league, has launched a stunning attack on Shaqiri’s achievements.

“Xherdan is not a champion,” Rossini told Tio, as cited by the Daily Express.

“We certainly cannot say that he left his mark with the teams with which he won. Not with the big guys at least.

“He was the protagonist in Basel, certainly not at Bayern or Liverpool.

“Let’s say that over the years he has often followed the games of his teams as a spectator, sitting in the best places. And millions have also been paid for it.

“This, taking everything into account, makes me think that the Swiss is not one who always gives his best.

“If not as owner, at least one important reserve role, from first choice on the bench, would otherwise have managed to carve it out. Instead nothing. Only the crumbs, for a disheartening situation.

“Of course, Xherdan is filling the bulletin board and seeing his bank account grow dramatically. I don’t know how many, in ten years, will remember him thinking about the great teams in which he has played.”