According to Swiss publication Blick, Liverpool summer signing Xherdan Shaqiri was convinced to join Liverpool this summer by German manager Jurgen Klopp despite Manchester United’s interest in the player.
United, along with Southampton and West Ham, had registered with Stoke their interest in signing the player and paying his release clause of £13.5m. However, those other Premier League sides were beaten to the punch by Jurgen Klopp who was first to make contact and his prolonged interest convinced the Swiss international to join him at Anfield.
Along with that, the way Jurgen Klopp went about negotiations in his ‘human manner’ made Shaqiri’s mind up and the deal was complete. According to the same website, Jose Mourinho was not able to make contact with Shaqiri as the deal had already been completed.
The 26-year-old came off the bench for Liverpool against West Ham in their 4-0 win as Klopp’s men made an impact on the league at the first attempt. As for Mourinho, he also bagged a win on the opening day but his side looked like it could do with a natural right winger, with Juan Mata starting the game in that position.
Perhaps Xherdan Shaqiri could have been that man for United but as with many of their targets this summer, they just missed out. Liverpool fans will be delighted that they beat United to the signing of their Swiss ace and the fact it appears a player has preferred Jurgen Klopp over United’s Portuguese boss.
United may regret not getting hold of this talented forward.
