Xherdan Shaqiri’s former team-mate Charlie Adam has warned Liverpool over the Switzerland international’s attitude.
Shaqiri, who played alongside Adam for Stoke last season as they were relegated from the Premier League, joined Liverpool this summer and marked his debut by scoring a superb overhead kick in a 4-1 pre-season victory over Manchester United.
Adam described Shaqiri as a “top player”, who deserved to be at a club of Liverpool’s stature, but questioned his commitment at crucial times in Stoke’s relegation fight.
“He’s a big player, at times he did well for us,” Adam said .
“But in critical situations, I felt tracking back and what we needed for the team in a relegation battle just wasn’t there.
“He has got it in him, but he probably knew we were going to get relegated, he was going to the World Cup and had this big move – this move was probably done three, four months ago.
“He is a match-winner, but at times it was difficult to play in the same team. The manager would let him get away with certain things.”
Adam said Shaqiri could soon start to grow impatient if he struggled to hold down a first-team place.
“He might get frustrated at not playing as much as he wants – it’s how long he waits and what (manager Jurgen) Klopp does with him,” the Scot added.
He took an aim at Xherdan Shaqiri once more, with the Scottish midfielder questioning the new Liverpool midfielder’s desire to save Stoke from relegation.
And while Adam hailed the Swiss star’s signing as a ‘great move’ and labelled him a ‘big player’, he admits he was frustrated at being a water-carrier for Shaqiri for the Potters.
Shaqiri joined Jurgen Klopp’s side this month in a £13million move and was quickly forced to defend himself following Adam labelling him a “so-called big player” who “never turned up”.
The former Reds man criticised the 26-year-old’s commitment last season, claiming the player might have known he was leaving months before the end of the campaign.
As far as Liverpool debuts go, scoring a bicycle kick to seal a 4-1 victory over Manchester United takes some beating – friendly or not.
So it was little surprise to see Xherdan Shaqiri grinning from ear to ear after marking his Reds bow with an unforgettable strike as Jose Mourinho’s men were swept aside in the final game of the club’s tour of the United States.
The Swiss, who completed his move from Stoke City earlier this month, grabbed Liverpool’s fourth as he athletically smashed home Ben Woodburn’s cross late in the second half.
And, that the goal came in front of 101,000 fans at Michigan Stadium on what was his first appearance for his new club made the experience all the more incredible.
Asked at full-time to reflect upon opening his account, Shaqiri told Liverpoolfc.com: “[It was] very beautiful.
“I think I’m used to doing it [laughs]! No, I scored many times like this, I love bicycle kicks so I [am] always training this sometimes.
“The ball was perfect and why shouldn’t you try? So I tried it and it was a very beautiful goal.”
Shaqiri was introduced as a second-half substitute as the Reds completed their International Champions Cup schedule in Ann Arbor.
Having also set up Daniel Sturridge’s goal in an impressive 45-minute outing, the wideman is confident he can build on his perfect start and make an impact at Anfield this season.
He added: “I think it’s an amazing day; there are a lot of fans here and it’s my first game for this big club and I’m really happy and of course with the beautiful goal.
“It was amazing to play with this great team, you can see this team has amazing players, I feel good and I’m very happy.
“It’s a big club and I want to show my football too and you can see on the pitch that I have a lot of experience too.
“I have played at a lot of big clubs and I want to help this team to go forward and I hope we can start a good season.
“That’s important to have good friendlies and today was a good friendly for us and a beautiful win too.”