LIVERPOOL: Politics will keep Liverpool forward Xherdan Shaqiri from making the trip to face Red Star Belgrade in the Champions League, nearly five months after the Switzerland forward made a nationalist hand gesture while celebrating a goal against Serbia at the World Cup.
Shaqiri, who is Swiss but was born in Kosovo, was left off Liverpool’s squad by manager Juergen Klopp on Monday because the team fears a harsh reception in Serbia during Tuesday’s match.
“We have heard and read the speculation and talk about what kind of reception Shaq would receive and although we have no idea what would happen, we want to go there and be focused 100 percent on football and not have to think about anything else, that’s all,” Klopp said.
Shaqiri plays for Switzerland’s national team but has roots in Kosovo, a former Serbian province that declared independence in 2008. At the World Cup in Russia, both Shaqiri and Switzerland teammate Granit Xhaka celebrated goals against Serbia by using their hands to make a nationalist eagle symbol of their ethnic Albanian heritage.
In a story posted on Liverpool’s website, Klopp didn’t mention the hand gesture.
“We are Liverpool FC, a big club, a football team but we don’t have any message further than that. We have no political message, absolutely not,” Klopp said. “We are keen to be respectful and keen to avoid any distractions that would take focus away from a 90-minute-plus contest that is important for football and only football.”
Klopp said Shaqiri accepted the decision.
“(He) understands this,” Klopp said. “Shaq is our player, we love him, and he will play for us a lot of times, but not on Tuesday.”
Liverpool leads Group C with six points from three matches while Red Star is last with one. Two weeks ago, Liverpool routed Red Star 4-0 at Anfield.
Kosovo-born Xherdan Shaqiri left out by Liverpool for game against Red Star Belgrade in Serbia
Kosovo-born Xherdan Shaqiri left out by Liverpool for game against Red Star Belgrade in Serbia
- Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says Shaqiri won’t play on Tuesday over fears the Kosovo-born forward would get a harsh reception in Belgrade
- Shaqiri and Switzerland teammate Granit Xhaka celebrated goals in a 2-1 win over Serbia at the World Cup in Russia by making a double-headed eagle gesture
Riyadh stages LIV Golf opener as league navigates change in 2026
- Ben An: Night golf adds character to this event. It’s similar to night racing in F1, so I think it’ll be good for golf too
- Michael La Sasso: Being able to travel the world at such a young age, I couldn’t pass up this experience
RIYADH: The 2026 LIV Golf League gets underway in Riyadh this Wednesday, marking the start of a new season that will see the tour adopt a four-day, 72-hole format for the first time since its launch in 2022.
Despite the structural change, much of the early attention has focused on the departures of high-profile players such as Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed, who recently confirmed that he will not return this season. LIV Golf players, however, insist their focus remains firmly on the campaign ahead.
At the league’s pre-season press conference, Legion XIII captain Jon Rahm addressed Reed’s move.
“I wish Patrick Reed nothing but the best,” Rahm said. “Everyone is free to choose wherever they want to play golf.
“He’s been playing fantastic golf, and if he wants to go back (to the PGA Tour), he can choose to do so.”
The opening event in Riyadh will again feature play under the lights — a format that has become one of LIV Golf’s most distinctive traits.
“It’s just a case of getting used to the night golf,” said Legion XIII teammate Tyrrell Hatton. Rahm agreed, noting that while the concept was enjoyable, consistently staging events after dark brought its own challenges.
For Tom McKibbin, playing under the lights initially came as a surprise but left a lasting impression during his first appearance in Riyadh last season.
“I don’t think any other golf event has been played in the dark — it was very new for me,” McKibbin said. “But I enjoyed playing under the lights, and it made for a cool first experience.”
Korean Golf Club member Ben An echoed that sentiment, suggesting the format added a new dimension to the sport.
“Night golf adds character to this event,” he said. “It’s similar to night racing in F1, so I think it’ll be good for golf too.”
Beyond the format, several players highlighted the competitive environment and global travel as key reasons for committing to LIV.
“I say this with no disrespect to other tours, but you only face the top players two to three times a year at a major,” said Richard Bland of Cleeks GC. “Here, you get to play against the likes of Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau 14 to 15 times a year.”
For younger players, including 21-year-old Michael La Sasso, the international nature of the tour has been a major draw.
“Being able to travel the world at such a young age, I couldn’t pass up this experience,” La Sasso told Arab News. “The amount I’ll be able to learn just by being here — it’s hard to express how cool it really is.
“As a 21-year-old, I get to see different cultures on a regular basis. Even seeing camels in Riyadh this week was pretty cool.”
LIV Golf opens for the second consecutive season under the Riyadh Golf Club lights from Feb. 4 to 7. Adrian Meronk of Cleeks GC returns as defending individual champion after finishing 17 under par last year, while Legion XIII claimed the team title with a total of 50 under par.
The tour moves on just seven days later, with its second event taking place in Adelaide — one of the most anticipated stops on the LIV calendar.
