Adrian Clarke analyses the tactical impact Premier League summer signings will have on their clubs.
Xherdan Shaqiri
Jurgen Klopp called Liverpool’s decision to sign Shaqiri from Stoke City a "no-brainer" and it is easy to see why.
The attacking midfielder can produce match-changing moments from open play or from dead-ball situations.
Dynamite at dead balls
One area where Shaqiri immediately improves Klopp's side is from set-pieces.
Last season Liverpool scored from just 11 free-kicks or corners.
Aside from Chelsea, who recorded the same number of set-play goals, this figure was below all their top-six rivals.
Philippe Coutinho’s move to Barcelona left Liverpool short of quality in this area.
Before his January departure, the Brazilian had created nine chances from dead balls and scored from two direct free-kicks.
Nobody else in the Liverpool squad surpassed that number over the whole campaign.
Shaqiri is blessed with a wonderful left foot and can make up for Coutinho’s absence.
He created 28 opportunities from set-pieces for Stoke last term, the fifth most in the league. He also assisted four goals, so his deliveries will be a fabulous asset.
Shaqiri v Liverpool set-pieces 2017/18
| Set-piece chances created | Set-piece assists | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Shaqiri | 28 | Shaqiri | 4 |
| Milner | 8 | Six players | 1 |
| Salah | 8 | ||
| Alexander-Arnold | 6 | ||
End product
More than a third of the chances Shaqiri created for Stoke last season came from set-pieces, but the 77 goal opportunities he made were more in total than any Liverpool player.
Indeed, with his pinpoint crosses and through-balls, he ranked joint seventh in the Premier League for chances created.
Doing this for a side towards the bottom of the table was a tremendous achievement.
Long-range shooting
The 26-year-old will also worry Liverpool’s opponents with his long-range shooting.
In 2016/17, he scored four goals from outside the box, and he went one better last term.
That was the joint-highest return in the league alongside Kevin De Bruyne.
Aside from Mohamed Salah, Liverpool have lacked potency in this area since Coutinho left.
Shaqiri's ability to get his shots away quickly will suit Liverpool’s style, which is built around fast transitions.
Nearly half his shots last term were taken within 10 seconds of Stoke gaining possession.
Shaqiri v Liverpool players 2017/18
| Chances created | Shots on target (outside area) | Goals (outside) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shaqiri | 77 | Shaqiri | 12 | Shaqiri | 5 |
| Salah | 62 | Firmino | 10 | Salah | 3 |
| Firmino | 57 | Salah | 8 | Chamberlain | 1 |
| Mane | 49 | Chamberlain | 7 | ||
Change of shape?
While I expect Klopp to stick with the 4-3-3 system that worked so well in 2017/18, Shaqiri’s arrival provides the German with tactical options.
The Liverpool manager may occasionally switch to 4-2-3-1, with two central midfielders sat behind Sadio Mane on the left, Salah on the right, and Shaqiri supporting striker Roberto Firmino.
Shaqiri performed well in a central free role last season, scoring three times and making five assists from 15 starts in that position.
Alternatively he could play on the right, with Salah joining Firmino down the middle.
While I expect Shaqiri to be regarded initially as cover for any of Liverpool’s star front three, he can also supplement their quality with a tweak to the shape.
He could be the bargain buy of the summer.