Liverpool turn down approach for wantaway playmaker

Liverpool fans will feel a sense of de ja vu ahead of the new season, as left-back Andy Robertson looks set to miss out on the first few weeks of the season after sustaining ankle ligament damage against Athletic Bilbao. 

The Scotland international was an ever-present in the Reds’ backline last season, during the time in which Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez all suffered injuries and missed varying periods of the season.

Liverpool begin their Premier League campaign away to Norwich City on Saturday, but they may well be without a midfielder who has dropped out of favour under Jurgen Klopp.

The Reds have received an offer from Lyon for Swiss international Xherdan Shaqiri, but are reportedly standing firm and unwilling to let the attacker go for less than their own valuation.

According to the Liverpool Echo, the player has told the club that he wishes to depart in search of a new challenge, however the two clubs are some way apart in terms of their valuations.

Shaqiri impressed at Euro 2020 with Switzerland.

It is believed that Liverpool want to at least recoup the £12 million that they paid for the 29-year-old when he joined from Stoke three years ago.

Shaqiri impressed at Euro 2020 with Switzerland, helping his country to an impressive run to the quarter-finals, and Liverpool believe that this has increased his value.

The midfielder also has two years remaining on his contract with his current employers, gifting Liverpool an advantage in negotiations.

While Shaqiri has been used in both midfield and the Reds’ front three, he is behind the likes of Sadio Mane, Mo Salah and Diogo Jota in the pecking order at Anfield and would likely struggle for first team chances again this season.