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Liverpool news: Jurgen Klopp has replaced Philippe Coutinho with ‘bargain’ star - Owen
LIVERPOOL boss Jurgen Klopp has already replaced Philippe Coutinho - with a player that cost over £100million less than the Brazilian.
That is according to former Liverpool striker Michael Owen, who has paid tribute to Xherdan Shaqiri’s start to life at Anfield.
Shaqiri joined the Reds from relegated Stoke in the summer for a fee of around £13m.
The Switzerland international was expected to be a squad player for Jurgen Klopp but has already made 11 appearances in all competitions.
He has become more of a regular starter in recent weeks, impressing in victories over Huddersfield and Cardiff last month.
Since Coutinho’s left, that guile to unlock the defence but this lad can just create something
Owen interviewed Shaqiri earlier this week for BT Sport and ahead of Sunday’s match against Fulham the pundit heaped praise on the 27-year-old.
And he claims he has helped fill the creative void left by Coutinho, who joined Barcelona in January for around £142m.
“Since he’s been at Liverpool he’s created a couple of assists, he had a great pre-season,” Owen said of Shaqiri.
“But he’s that way inclined isn’t he, you wouldn’t necessarily trust him to put in a great defensive performance.
“But give him the ball and he can create chances.
"He sees it, he’s a good finisher.
“In general, Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp have beat the big teams and they’ve struggled against the lesser teams.
“Since Coutinho’s left, that guile to unlock the defence, of course they’ve got a lot of pace with (Mohamed) Salah and (Sadio) Mane, but this lad can just create something.
“And when he gets in front of goal he’s cool as a cucumber.
“He beats a player and he doesn’t just smash it, he controls it.
“He’s a tidy little player and a bargain you could say as well.”
Shaqiri scored the second goal for Liverpool in their 2-0 win over Fulham on Sunday.