Liverpool star wants exit, Reds eye former player

Liverpool star Xherdan Shaqiri has reportedly asked to leave the club. After a lack of opportunities at Anfield, the Swiss star is now in search of another challenge. In the same vein, the Reds are named to be among the clubs interested in a move for their former playmaker in Phillipe Coutinho.

After missing out on the Premier League by a great margin last term, a rebuild is on the cards for Jurgen Klopp.

Last season for the lads from Anfield was full of upheavals. Indications came in early that it was going to be a long season for Liverpool. There was the 7-2 loss to Aston Villa, then the loss of Virgil Van Dijk, who was the bedrock of Liverpool’s title-winning season.

A drop in form midway through the season by several key players meant that the objective had to be changed. With an initial target of defending their title, Liverpool was playing to make it to the ‘Top four’. An almost photo finish saw the team pick up the final Champions League slot ahead of Leicester City.

The rebuild begins

After the fall out of last season, Jurgen Klopp knows that if the team should challenge on all fronts and reclaim the League title, a rebuild of the team has to take place.

The rebuildd on shaky ground as they failed to tie Georginio Wijnaldum to a new deal. The midfielder left on a free transfer to PSG. Liverpool, however, remains undaunted in their quest to rebuild to challenge for the title.

In the following weeks, there will be more exits and coming ins at Anfield. The club has signed Ibrahima Konate from RB Leipzig and is looking to strengthen in other areas too.

Shaqiri wants exit, Coutinho interest

Xherdan Shaqiri has tottered on the brink of leaving Liverpool, but he has somehow stayed put at the club. Even though he has had limited chances, he remained in belief that opportunities would come. Last season, he got more playing time due to injuries to key personnel. Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp has not doubted his need for Shaqiri’s services. He has been adamant that Shaqiri is surplus to requirements, and when Shaqiri requested to leave the club this season, the club has not stood in his way.

Lazio are interested in bringing the Swiss to the Italian capital. A recent report from Italian outlet Corriere dello Sport claims that the Swiss midfielder would join Lazio for free as they can’t pay for him.

According to the report, he would leave for close to nothing. With the looming departure of Shaqiri and the rebuilding process still on, Liverpool seems to have shown interest in bringing Phillipe Coutinho back to the club. The Brazilian has had a torrid time at Barcelona and may not mind returning to the English game where he hit stardom. Tottenham are also keen on signing the Brazilian.

Another player in Liverpool’s sights is Napoli star Lorenzo Insigne. Insigne could come in on a relatively low price, with Napoli wanting a fee as low as €25m.

Liverpool showed interest in the Euro 2020 star, and if they are to be successful in their quest for the Italian, they have to fend off the interest from Tottenham once again.