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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Sam Meade

Liverpool train ahead of Atalanta as Jurgen Klopp makes Xherdan Shaqiri statement

Liverpool are continuing their preparations for the first of their back-to-back games with Atalanta.

The Italian side will host the Reds tomorrow night before travelling to Anfield later this month.

Atalanta were one of the Champions League's surprise packages last term as they reached the last eight.

Two stoppage time goals for PSG ended their hopes but they will pose a genuine threat to Jurgen Klopp's side.

Liverpool warmed up for their European clash with a come from behind win over West Ham on Saturday evening.

Jurgen Klopp says Xherdan Shaqiri can thrive in a more central role (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Subs Xherdan Shaqiri and Diogo Jota combined to score the winner late on and Klopp is happy to have the former as an option given his versatility.

"Shaq can play the wing, he has everything for that, but is a creative player and played for Switzerland on the No.10 [position]," he said.

"They know a lot about football there, so they wouldn’t bring him there if they think he is better in another position.

"Shaq is a versatile offensive player. He played for us in the No.8, wing and now No.10 when he came on. That’s all the positions he can play."

Klopp is also acutely aware of the threat posed by the Serie A outfit, who have won four of their six games this term.

Liverpool have been boosted by Joel Matip's return to training (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Atalanta were a relatively unknown quantity in last season's competition, but the German was not surprised by their success.

He added: "They obviously have in the team a really good atmosphere in general, a good mood and they are a proper fighting unit. So I was not surprised last year.

"Of course, I didn’t know too much about Atalanta before the [last] season started but I knew about the role they played in Italy, which was the qualification for the Champions League.

“[They are] Difficult to play against, very special in their approach, slightly similar to Leeds, let me say like this, organisation-wise and these kind of things.

“So it will be a tough one.“

How far will Liverpool go in this season's Champions League? Have your say here.

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