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Liverpool have changed their plans for Xherdan Shaqiri ahead of the January transfer window opening.
Shaqiri came off the bench for his first appearance in seven weeks as the Premier League leaders were held to a frustrating 0-0 draw by Newcastle on Wednesday.
The Swiss winger has found game time hard to come by, with Jurgen Klopp often preferring Takumi Minamino as back-up to the Reds' front three of Roberto Firmino, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah.
Diogo Jota's arrival from Wolves pushed Shaqiri even further down the pecking order – especially after the summer signing fired five goals in his first nine top-flight games plus another four in the Champions League.
However, Jota is not expected back in action until February after suffering a knee injury last month – and his misfortune has forced Liverpool into a rethink over Shaqiri.
The Reds had been open to selling the 29-year-old, according to the Liverpool Echo, but now anticipate that he might be needed as Klopp's side pursue a silverware quest on three fronts in 2021.
After Wednesday's stalemate at St James Park left Liverpool just three points clear at the top of the Premier League, the manager took comfort from the triple return from injury of Shaqiri, Thiago Alcantara and James Milner.
"Shaq is back too, and that’s the best news tonight," said Klopp after the match.
"The boys are back and as far as I know at the moment, nobody got injured tonight, which is a very important thing."
Another player who has been linked with a departure in the January transfer window is striker Divock Origi.
Origi has made just two appearances from the bench in the top flight this season, although he has started three Champions League games and one in the EFL Cup.
According to the Echo , Liverpool are not desperate to sell the 2019 European Cup hero – although they would not stand in his way if he wanted to move and a satisfactory offfer of around £20million was on the table.
- Champions League
- Premier League
- Jurgen Klopp
- Mohamed Salah
- Sadio Mane
- Liverpool FC
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