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Football

14th Jul 2018

Jamie Carragher pulls out great line as Liverpool reveal Xherdan Shaqiri squad number

Melissa Reddy

Swiss is how we do it…

Liverpool have added depth to their attacking options with the signing of Xherdan Shaqiri from Stoke City on a five-year deal after activating his £13 million relegation release clause.

The Switzerland international interrupted his post-World Cup holiday in order to undertake a medical 0n Merseyside and finalise the terms of his transfer on Friday.

Shaqiri can operate in an advanced role across midfield as well as in the front three, which will enhance Jurgen Klopp’s ability to rotate his forwards.

The 26-year-old’s dexterity from set-pieces and inventiveness in possession will add variety to an already explosive attacking force.

Shaqiri, who joins Fabinho and Naby Keita as Liverpool’s new recruits this summer, scored 15 goals and as many assists in 92 appearances for Stoke.

He was previously at Basel, before spending two-and-a-half seasons with Bayern Munich where Klopp was was an admirer of his creative attributes while at the Borussia Dortmund helm.

A transfer to Inter Milan followed in January 2015, but he quickly traded them for the Potters that August.

Shaqiri’s squad number will be 23 and that call is something that piqued the interest of former Reds defender Jamie Carragher.

For the record, Carragher scored four times in his 500+ outings for Liverpool.

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