Liverpool star was told he's no champion after 'disheartening' role in title win

Liverpool have once again been crowned , with Arne Slot at the helm to mark their second triumph in five years. Their first success came under Jurgen Klopp's leadership, which saw then-midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri face some harsh criticism soon after lifting the league trophy.

Shaqiri has quite the collection of accolades from his time playing for the Reds, including the Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, and UEFA Super Cup. However, Arno Rossini, a former coach from his homeland of Switzerland, slammed him for playing a "disheartening" role in 2020 Premier League victory. Speaking to Swiss outlet that year, the ex-FC Sion manager bluntly claimed that Shaqiri seemed to merely be a spectator during remarkable campaign - something that he claimed had become a pattern throughout the winger's career.

Rossini said: "Xherdan is not a champion. Not with the big guys at least. He was the protagonist in Basel, certainly not at Bayern or Liverpool. Let's say that over the years, he has often followed the games of his teams as a spectator, sitting in the best places. And millions have also been paid for it.

"This, taking everything into account, makes me think that the Swiss is not one who always gives his best. If not as owner, at least one important reserve role, from first choice on the bench, [he] would otherwise have managed to carve it (a place in the team) out. Instead nothing. Only the crumbs, for a disheartening situation.

"Of course, Xherdan is filling the bulletin board and seeing his bank account grow dramatically; I don't know how many, in 10 years, will remember him thinking about the great teams in which he has played."

Shaqiri made the switch to Liverpool during the 2018 summer transfer window, signing a five-year contract worth £12.5million under Klopp's guidance. His tenure at Anfield saw him make 63 appearances over three seasons, netting eight goals and providing nine assists.

In addition to being part of Liverpool's triumphant 2019/20 campaign, Shaqiri boasts an impressive haul from his time with FC Basel and Bayern Munich, including three Bundesliga crowns, one Champions League title, two DFB-Pokals, and a DFL-Supercup with the German giants.

Now back with FC Basel, the 33-year-old has clinched the Swiss championship thrice and secured the domestic cup on two occasions during his two stints with the club.

But despite his domestic-level achievements, it is Shaqiri's stellar international career that stands out the most. He has scored 32 times in 125 matches for Switzerland and is the only person to score in the last six major international tournaments, a streak that started with the 2014 World Cup.