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Liverpool transfer news: £35m Xherdan Shaqiri claim made by Sky Sports pundit
LIVERPOOL new boy Xherdan Shaqiri could be worth £35m without playing a competitive match for the Reds.
Liverpool: Fans CHEER Shaqiri's incredible crossbar skills
That’s is the resounding verdict of Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson, who has hailed Jurgen Klopp’s business in the summer transfer window.
Liverpool have been hard at work since the end of last season looking to add to a squad which reached the Champions League final.
Alisson, Fabinho and Naby Keita have rocked up at Anfield in big-money deals, while Shaqiri arrived for a relatively modest £13m after Klopp activated his Stoke release clause.
Shaqiri will be fighting it out with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino for a place in Liverpool’s attack.
Merson has hailed the Switzerland international ahead of Sunday’s season-opening showdown against West Ham.
"They've made unbelievable signings," Merson told Sky Sports, after grading Liverpool’s summer business at an A+.
"Xherdan Shaqiri could be one of the signings of the window, he could be worth £35m now and the season hasn't even started."
Liverpool’s work in the transfer market means optimism is high that a first Premier League title could be on its way to Merseyside.
Merson believes Klopp’s side will be someway short of reigning champions Manchester City - but not for a lack of effort.
"This team will close the gap,” Merson added.
"Win the Premier League? No, but they can beat Man City in a one-off game.
"They did it enough times last season, but 25 points is a lot to make up in one season.
"It won't be through a lack of good buys, though, because they are really good buys.
"Their Achilles heel for me will be against the lesser teams and if they can break them down but I'm all over Liverpool, I think they're the team who will come second.
"Pep Guardiola did all his business early when he came in last year like Jurgen Klopp has done this window.
"He bought very good full-backs for a lot of money and Klopp has done the same.
"He needed a couple of midfielders, a player who can come in if one of the front three get injured and play with guile because that's their problem - breaking teams down.
"Clubs go there and put 10 behind the ball and you need to break them down and Shaqiri has got that in the locker.
"Naby Keita runs off the ball so I'm definitely looking forward to watching Liverpool."
Liverpool transfer news: What business has Jurgen Klopp done this summer?
In
Fabinho (Monaco) Undisclosed
Naby Keita (RB Leipzig) Undisclosed
Xherdan Shaqiri (Stoke City) Undisclosed
Alisson Becker (AS Roma) Undisclosed
Out
Danny Ings (Southampton) Loan
Yan Dhanda (Swansea) Undisclosed
Ovie Ejaria (Rangers) Loan
Emre Can (Juventus) Free
Jon Flanagan (released)
Adam Bogdan (Hibernian) Loan
Harry Wilson (Derby) Loan
Paulo Alves (Wolves) Free
Danny Ward (Leicester) Undisclosed
Andy Firth (Barrow) Undisclosed
Ryan Kent (Rangers) Loan
Taiwo Awoniyi (Gent) Loan
Shamal George (Tranmere) Loan
Allan (Frankfurt) Loan
Ben Woodburn (Sheffield United) Loan