Jurgen Klopp has said Xherdan Shaqiri was a “logical” signing for Liverpool but that he has no idea how good the Switzerland international can go on to be.
Shaqiri joined in July from relegated Stoke City as Liverpool triggered a £13 million release clause in his contract.
The former Bayern Munich and Inter Milan player has impressed in his eight appearances for Liverpool so far, and provided assists in the wins over Huddersfield Town and Red Star Belgrade.
“I don’t think anybody has an idea at the moment how good Shaq can be. It’s not a criticism, it’s just how it is,” Klopp said.
“I knew him when he was 19 at Bayern and he was already an outstanding talent. He had a good first year. Second year he wasn’t that good, but that can happen. Then he left.
“You can disappear a bit. Inter Milan and then Stoke. Thank God, he didn’t disappear.”
Shaqiri’s arrival in the summer was part of Klopp’s desire to add more depth to his Liverpool’s squad.
The versatile 27-year-old has already been used as a forward and central midfielder during his brief time at Anfield.
“He always had his moments,” Klopp said. “When I asked for us to cut a few scenes of Shaqiri, nobody said: ‘Come on, Shaqiri? Really?’
“Then when we cut them together it was really impressive with how decisive he was in these situations. Even when he didn’t score, he stayed in games.
“Signing him was a logical thing to do. He’s still not the finished article. He still has a lot of space for improvement and that’s really good.
“He gives us something different. So far we haven’t really used his set-pieces but they are outstanding. That’s another plus.”