Jack Butland focused on the proceedings at Stoke City
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Xherdan Shaqiri could miss the next couple of matches for the Reds after picking up a minor hamstring problem. The Switzerland international has struggled to command a regular starting role under the guidance of Klopp over the past 12 months and he has unfortunately sustained a muscular injury when he was about to get a rare opportunity to do so in the Premier League.
Shaqiri has endured a frustrating time with the European champions since the beginning of 2019 but he has remained relatively patient with his handling by Klopp. Speaking after the recent 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Reds boss has revealed that Shaqiri should have made the first XI for the game but he picked up a slight hamstring concern, he told: “Shaqiri should have started but last night he felt a little bit the hamstring. He could be out of action for a week or 10 days”
The Reds are currently holding a comfortable 11-point lead over Leicester City at the top of the league standings and they have the advantage of another game in hand. As a result, they are genuinely cruising to a maiden Premier League title but Klopp has refused to talk about the trophy with more than half of the season left to play.
Still, the players within the Reds camp should know that they are edging ever closer to the league title that the club have failed to win since the 1989/1990 season. The Merseyside outfit have a home game against Sheffield United on New Year’s Day and they should be able to see off the challenge, judging by their fortunes through the campaign. The Reds have found themselves on the cusp of dropping points on a number of occasions but they have been able to come up with victories through late winners.