Danny Murphy has shared some insight into how Xherdan Shaqiri is training at Liverpool recently.
The Switzerland international has largely been sidelined this season, starting just two matches.
It has coincided with the arrival of Diogo Jota, who has taken Anfield by storm since joining from Wolves in the transfer window.
In 13 appearances, he has netted eight times - including a hat-trick in the Champions League.
Many were wondering how the Portuguese forward would fit in at Liverpool, now he looks undroppable.
But that further shunted the supporting cast on Merseyside down the pecking order, with players such as Shaqiri and Takumi Minamino barely getting a look-in.
However, former Liverpool star Murphy has insisted that Shaqiri is still in peak condition.
He said: “I think Jota coming in has helped massively.
"And I’ve spoken to a couple of people who have all said Shaqiri looks really sharp.
"He got a little knock on international duty but I’m expecting him to have more of an impact this season."
With Liverpool playing a number of games from now until the beginning of 2021, Shaqiri may well get his chance.
It comes as Jurgen Klopp continues to vocally contest the Premier League's decision to congest fixtures.
But Murphy has told the German manager to get on with it, with everyone in the same situation.
“I very rarely hear players moaning about it, it’s the coaches," he added.
“Of course you’re going to get frustrated when there’s a few injuries, especially muscle injuries, but it’s part and parcel and it has been for years.
“This ongoing argument about too many games – look, we’re in a bizarre time, the season finished late, the new one started early, we’ve got the Euros coming up…
“The games have got to be played, it’s as simple as that.
“He might, as he has done before, just have to sacrifice the lesser competitions and just stay focused on the Prem and the Champions League, and not worry about the others.”
