The Swiss player says the Reds have missed out on their fans while defending the failed Premier League title
Anfield games are now “easier” for smaller clubs according to Xherdan Shaqiri, who admits Liverpool have suffered without their fans.
This season’s Premier League champions have let the title slip without putting up much of a fight in 2020-21, losing nine and dragging seven of their games to fall. 28 points behind Manchester City leaders.
Six of those blows were suffered at Anfield, with Shaqiri admitting that the Reds as an old force on home turf with supporters are still unable to attend matches amid pandemic coronavirus infection.
What was said?
“Everyone knows how our fans are when they push us,” said the Swiss player. Sky Sports. “Everyone knows how many games we got back in if we conceded a goal.
“I think there are a lot, a lot of games where you can see that, a lot of examples. Of course, we really miss them.
“For the smaller teams, it’s easier to come to Anfield without fans. There’s no pressure. You see that in many ways and in many games. The smaller teams have more opportunity.”
Woes Anfield at Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp’s side had gone 68 games in the Premier League unbeaten at home, the second best record in the history of the tournament, before coming up against Burnley on 21 January.
The Clarets won 1-0 at Merseyside thanks to a penalty from the late Ashley Barnes, with the end result severely depleting fortunes for the Reds.
Liverpool have lost the next five games at Anfield, with Brighton, Manchester City, Everton, Chelsea and Fulham all picking up wins.
The defending champions failed to score once in that time, and will not have a chance to end the unwanted streak again until April 10 when they host Aston Villa.
What now?
Liverpool got back to winning ways by beating RB Leipzig last week to qualify for the Champions League semi-finals, and they will be in action in the Premier League away at Wolves on Monday.
Klopp’s men must take another win to keep their four best hopes alive, with Shaqiri confident the German head coach will get the Reds back on track.
“We try. We just need to improve performance and then I’m sure we can succeed again,” he said. “We have to stay positive and work hard. This club must be successful. It has to be at the top.
“We talk a lot together and the coach gives us the right directions. I don’t want to say everyone in our dressing room but we talk a lot and we know that we need to come back stronger and deliver what he wants on the pitch. We need to stay positive. “