Phil Thompson - Shaqiri could flop as Balotelli

Phil Thompson fear Xherdan Shaqiri could end up as former Liverpool forward Mario Balotelli

That's the take of Sky Sport pundit and Liverpool legend Phil Thompson.

Liverpool signed Xherdan Shaqiri from relegated Stoke City in a low key transfer valued at £13m and Thompson feels the Liverpool new midfielder could emulate Balotelli, who suffered nightmare during his time at Anfield.

"He's a player, as we know, who is maybe not a workaholic at the moment like Klopp would like", said Thompson.

"But my goodness he’s got an assist, he’s got a goal, set players. 

"So that’s the great thing Jurgen has done with the transfer market. He has identified the areas which he needs to improve his squad and gone for it.

“Shaqiri, yeah maybe a few problems about him, but he’s got this in his locker. Set plays, corner kicks, he delivers into dangerous areas.

“He’s going to a club now which in all intents and purposes a bigger club than what Stoke is. I think the expectations and the demands on him will be as it should be. 

“At £13m it is a snip and I hope upon hope that this goes right for the boy.

“It could be a Balotelli move, then again it could be a Mane move and that is the thing. 

“He’s got to learn and that is the only thing, this high-pressure game that Jurgen demands from everybody. 

“Everybody has to fit in and Shaqiri has to bring that to the table.”