Liverpool’s Shaqiri hits out at Neville, other critics

Joe Williams

Liverpool winger Xherdan Shaqiri has claimed he wouldn’t even share a coffee with Gary Neville as he doesn’t care what he has to say.

The Switzerland international has had to wait for his chance this season but when called upon in recent matches against Cardiff, Red Star Belgrade and Fulham, he has shone.

Shaqiri‘s display in their 2-0 win over the Cottagers has given Jurgen Klopp a selection dilemma with Roberto Firmino underperforming this season.

Neville criticised Stoke as “unprofessional” during their relegation campaign last season and claimed that Shaqiri epitomised that.

When asked if he would have coffee with Neville, Shaqiri told Blick in a wide-ranging interview: “Not at all. I do not care what he says. I do not care if he says now that I’m playing hard.

“Many have ridiculed after the transfer that Liverpool is too big for me. But I was always calm, too, when I got little playing time at the beginning.

“I knew, of course because of the experience at Bayern and Inter, that I have to be patient, work focused and then take my chance when I get it.”