‘Nothing is impossible’ for Xherdan Shaqiri, says Liverpool able to ‘beat anyone’

Liverpool’s Xherdan Shaqiri — in action at Anfield — believes the club can go all the way in this year’s Premier League. (Action Images via Reuters/Carl Recine)
Updated 15 August 2018
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‘Nothing is impossible’ for Xherdan Shaqiri, says Liverpool able to ‘beat anyone’

  • Swiss international made the move from relegated Stoke City to Liverpool this summer
  • Kosovo-born player believes Reds can match the likes of Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona

LONDON: Liverpool’s new summer signing Xherdan Shaqiri has said that “nothing is impossible” and that the Merseyside club can beat “anyone in the world.”
The Swiss international made the move to Anfield fresh off the back of his country’s elimination from the World Cup in Russia, as part of Jurgen Klopp’s extensive spending spree to strengthen his side ahead of the new season.
And Shaqiri believes the Reds can overhaul Manchester City come the end of the season.
“For me, nothing is impossible,” Shaqiri told the UK’s Guardian in a recent interview.
“We can be everything we want to be. We beat Manchester City in the league and the Champions League last season so I think we can beat anyone in the world.
“We want to compete with the biggest teams like Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Barcelona … they are the best teams in the world and Liverpool is also one of them,” said Shaqiri, who came on as a substitute for Liverpool in their 4-0 victory against West Ham in their first Premier League game of the season on Sunday.
“It has to be our ambition to compete with the best and to go on the field against whoever we play trying to win the game and dominate the game. Our aim is to win as many titles as possible. That is the goal of the club now and we are looking forward to the season,” he added.
The Kosovo-born player, who has won three Swiss Super League titles with FC Basel and two Bundesligas with Bayern Munich, believes Liverpool have the quality to match their ambition of claiming their first English top flight crown since 1990.
He explains: “I came here to try to win titles. I think this club needs to have this ambition to win titles, to play for titles, and to be one of the best teams in the world. It is one of the best clubs in the world and so now we try to show that on the pitch.
And Shaqiri has been impressed with his new club and teammates.
“This is my fourth year in the Premier League now, so I know how they play and how good they are. I saw them many times. I know the quality of this team and you can see it on the pitch that I have started working well with them and passing well with them.
“I think we have a big team with a lot of quality that can win every game. That has to be our goal this season – to focus on every game and not think about what can happen in the winter or next summer. We have to try and win every game because all of them are important. Our goal is to try and win every game.”
The Swiss enforcer was also full of praise for his new boss Klopp when asked the impact the German has had on the club since he arrived from Borussia Dortmund.
“I think when Jürgen arrived here the club was totally different to what it is now,” he says. “He has done a very good job since he’s been here and you can see that the people have a lot of respect for him and his work. The progress of this club and this team is getting higher every year. 

“Everybody is very focused on that and with the transfers the manager did you can see that he wants to go forward and to make more progress. He wants to compete with the best teams in the world and he is going in the right way.”


Desert Vipers seal playoff spot with record sixth straight ILT20 win

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Desert Vipers seal playoff spot with record sixth straight ILT20 win

  • Chasing 167, the Vipers were guided home by an outstanding all-round display from Sam Curran

DUBAI: The Desert Vipers secured qualification for the International League T20 playoffs after an impressive five-wicket victory over Dubai Capitals at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday, becoming the first team in the competition’s history to register six consecutive wins.

Chasing 167, the Vipers were guided home by an outstanding all-round display from Sam Curran, who followed up two key wickets with an unbeaten 52 off 33 balls to clinch the chase with five wickets and several deliveries to spare.

The Capitals had earlier posted a competitive 166 for 4 after recovering from early setbacks. Naseem Shah struck in the third over to remove Shayan Jahangir, but Leus du Plooy anchored the innings with a composed 54 off 44 balls. Gulbadin Naib added 21 before Noor Ahmad dismissed him with a well-disguised googly to halt the momentum.

The decisive moment came in the 14th over when Curran removed du Plooy in the deep and then dismissed Rovman Powell for a golden duck with the very next delivery, leaving the Capitals stalled at 94 for 4. A late surge from Jordan Cox, who finished unbeaten on 49, and skipper Dasun Shanaka, who made 29 not out, lifted the hosts to a defendable total, with 72 runs added in the final six overs.

In reply, Max Holden set the tone with a brisk 34, ensuring the Vipers reached 50 for 1 at the end of the powerplay despite the early loss of Fakhar Zaman. Hassan Nawaz injected momentum in the middle overs with a rapid 31, before Curran and Dan Lawrence steadied the chase and kept the required rate firmly in check.

Although Lawrence and Shimron Hetmyer both fell, Curran remained composed at the crease, anchoring the innings and finding the boundary at key moments to guide the Vipers to victory and extend their unbeaten run.

Player of the match Curran said: “We’re in a good space after putting together a couple of strong performances, and for me, the real satisfaction comes from finishing the job for the team. It went a bit deeper than we would have liked, but my focus is always on reading the situation and seeing the game through.

He continued: “When you’re winning, it simplifies decision-making, but we know we still need to keep improving and carry this momentum into the business end.”

Dubai Capitals captain Shanaka said his side had fallen just short.

“At 166, we had a competitive total, especially considering the quality of their bowling. However, our spinners didn’t hit the lengths we were looking for, and that made a difference,” he said.

“We had the firepower, but in hindsight, another 10 to 15 runs would have put us in a much stronger position,” he added.
The Vipers also used the fixture to highlight environmental awareness, wearing a special jersey featuring ‘Biodiversity Stripes’ made in the UAE from 100 percent recycled materials, as part of wider efforts to promote sustainability and biodiversity conservation.