Liverpool face their biggest test of the season so far tonight when they host PSG in the Champions League. Jurgen Klopp’s side could be set to face the French champions without their starting striker Roberto Firmino after he sustained an eye injury against Tottenham and a lot of fans want to see Xherdan Shaqiri replace him.
Damn.. Sturridge or Shaqiri, then. Unlikely Firmino will play if he's not on the pitch today. https://t.co/LZ9BF6nSbg
— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) September 17, 2018
With Firmino a doubt for PSG tonight the two names that jump to mind for Liverpool fans are Daniel Sturridge and Xherdan Shaqiri. If Sturridge is chosen to start it’s pretty obvious that he’ll be up there as a central striker with Sadio Mane and Mo Salah either side of him. However, if it’s Shaqiri there’s much more flexibility to the system with the Swiss winger able to fill in in midfield and on the flanks.
The fans are edging towards playing Shaqiri ahead of Sturridge as it would mean putting Mo Salah into the false nine position that Firmino usually plays. The Reds are keen to see more of Shaqiri anyway, the 26-year-old has made two appearances for the club so far this season, both being off the bench, but his 27 minutes of action has made it hard for him to make an impact and what better way to announce yourself to the fans that with a match-winning performance in the Champions League.
You can read The Kopites’ calls for Shaqiri to start here:
If Bobby isn’t available I would push Mo up tops and have Shaqiri on the right hand side.
— JFT97 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@warpaintdanny) September 17, 2018
Switch to a 4-4-2 or 4-3-1-2
with Salah and Mane up front
and Shaqiri as the CAM or RM— Dennis (@dey_nis) September 17, 2018
I love daniel but Shaqiri feels more like a threat so I'll start Shaqiri also because he needs some playing time!
— Emman (@mannyzpd000) September 18, 2018
Sturridge needs rhythm and games to find his groove. Shaqiri can just come in and do his thing. I reckon he’ll get the nod if need be.
— Ali (@ahaylfc) September 17, 2018
Shaq’s got euro pedigree over our studge! YNWA
— Gordon Dalgleish (@GordonDalgleish) 17 September 2018
https://twitter.com/pistolmatty/status/1041754368670883846
Salah false 9 shaqiri left flank
— kumlawo (@aidoo_aidooa) September 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/paa_kwesidenver/status/1041738953446117376
The fans are keen to see Shaqiri step in if Firmino’s out and they’ll be looking forward to seeing how they set up against a tough PSG side.
