Liverpool cult hero sold by Klopp is outperforming Salah, Wirtz and Szoboszlai | Football | Sport
A Liverpool cult hero who was sold by Jurgen Klopp in 2021 is in red-hot form, even outperforming the Reds’ big-money signings and star players this season. Xherdan Shaqiri – a Champions League winner during his time at Anfield – is having a season to remember playing for his boyhood club Basel in Switzerland.
His stellar season – where he has already registered more goals and assists than he did in his whole Liverpool career – also has him ahead on contributions when compared to Mo Salah, Dominic Szoboszlai and marquee summer signing Florian Wirtz. Now 34 years old, the Swiss international is flourishing with 14 goals and 13 assists in all competitions, which include the UEFA Europa League and Champions League qualifiers.
In comparison, Salah has recorded six goals and six assists, Szoboszlai eight goals and seven assists with Wirtz registering six goals and eight assists – only Hugo Ekitike has scored more goals (15) this season than the Basel man while the Frenchman also has four assists.
It is not a one-off for Shaqiri either, he managed 21 goals and 22 assists in 39 games last term as Basel did the double, being crowned champions and winning the Swiss Cup.
Speaking in November 2025, Swiss attacker Shaqiri said: “It’s an incredible feeling [returning to Basel]. The club gave me everything back then, and it feels good to give something back.
“When I returned in the summer of 2024, I said that I wanted to win titles with FCB again. But the fact that this happened in my first year was unpredictable and makes it all the more wonderful.
“Winning titles again here in my hometown, at the club where I grew up, surrounded by my family and friends, is very special.” Shaqiri began his career at Basel before securing a move to German giants Bayern Munich at the age of 20.
After being part of the Bayern side that won the Champions League in 2013, he moved on to Inter Milan before joining Stoke City in 2015.
In 2019, Klopp raved about Shaqiri saying: “What a wonderful player, what a wonderful ambassador for his country. So I’m really happy to have him around. I know people think I didn’t play him around often enough. He thinks probably the same. But what an important player for us all the season.”
Shaqiri also played a vital role in the Reds’ side that ended their 30-year wait for a Premier League title in 2020. Following his departure from Liverpool in 2021, the Swiss international joined Lyon in France before having a brief stint with MLS side Chicago Fire.
He retired from international duty in 2024 – as a legend for his country – taking them to four World Cups and three Euros.
