Jurgen Klopp has revealed why he replaced Xherdan Shaqiri during Liverpool victory over Southampton at Anfield
On his first start for the Reds, Shaqiri shone during the first period of Liverpool 3-0 win over the Saints at Anfield , forcing the early own goal from Wesley Hoedt and then seeing a fine free-kick bounce down off the crossbar for Mo Salah to tap in.
The former Stoke City forward, however, was replaced at the break by James Milner with Klopp admitting he didn’t like the shape of his team.
"The result is really cool and the performance could have been better. ‘The changes cost us as I changed the system. Xherdan Shaqiri was influential and Joel Matip was too, but our organisation was a problem. ‘You could see that with the communication on the pitch, but we changed back to a system we are used to.
"Saints were not bad, they were really good, but maybe in the final third they were not the biggest threat. "A clean sheet is very important and staying concentrated in an intense period is difficult.
"Joel Matip was spot on and the full backs had outstanding work rate and I liked what I saw. What I didn’t like today was my fault."
Klopp further revealed what he told Shaqiri after he replaced the 26-year-old at the first 45 of the game.
"I said to Shaq that I have never taken a player off at half-time after such an influential half but we wanted more control," he said. "He wasn't injured.
"Shaq is a fantastic boy. The free-kick was outstanding. He tried everything and he is a good player to have. Great offensively, needs a little work defensively."
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