Liverpool winger Xherdan Shaqiri insists he does not care about Gary Neville's criticism of his attitude

The Switzerland international has made a positive start to his Anfield career and is enjoying working under Jurgen Klopp

Monday 19 November 2018 08:04 EST
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Liverpool winger Xherdan Shaqiri insisted that he does not care what Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville says about him as he focuses on making a positive impact at Anfield.

Neville described Shaqiri as an “unprofessional” player with a tendency to go missing in matches ahead of his £13 million move from Stoke City to Liverpool last summer.

Shaqiri has impressed so far this season under Jurgen Klopp, registering two goals and two assists in the Premier League despite featuring predominantly as a substitute, and is adamant he never gave a second thought to Neville’s public criticism of him.

“I do not care what he [Neville] says,” Shaqiri said in an interview with Swiss German-language publication Blick. “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.

Xherdan Shaqiri celebrates after securing Liverpool's victory over Fulham
Xherdan Shaqiri celebrates after securing Liverpool's victory over Fulham (Getty)

“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.”

Asked if he would consider meeting Neville over a coffee to discuss the former Manchester United defender’s criticism of him, Shaqiri replied: “Not at all.”

Shaqiri failed to live up to high expectations at Bayern Munich and Inter Milan prior to reviving his career at Stoke, and is grateful for the chance to work under Klopp at Liverpool.

“I understand myself excellently with him [Klopp],” he added. “I like people so open. And that we can talk in German, of course, is great.

“Klopp impresses me so much that I say: ‘I want to win the title for this man’... and if we continue like in the moment, then everything is possible. I believe.”

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