Liverpool have been told that they need to find a 'Plan B' by Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson - because Xherdan Shaqiri is not the right man to change matches from the sidelines.
Shaqiri was an unused substitute in the defeat to Chelsea at Anfield on Thursday, and was unable to change the game when he came on for 27 minutes in the 2-0 loss to Everton earlier this month.
The Swiss winger has scored once and assisted four times in his 17 appearances to date this season, but that is not the reason that Merson believes he should not be in the side.
"I have sat here a million times and said [Liverpool] were the best team I have ever seen without the ball," Merson said, via HITC.
"I watched Man City the other night and that was Liverpool without the ball.
"No disrespect, but if you bring in Shaqiri for a game or two, he’s not a 'closer downer'.
"He’s not going to ‘bang’ and go."
Jurgen Klopp has turned to Shaqiri several times in the absence of Diogo Jota, who made his return to action in the Chelsea clash after missing 18 matches with a knee injury.
While the Portugal international could be a big player for Liverpool in the final months of the season, Merson says the Reds must look for other ways of playing too.
"You need a plan B," Merson added.
"When you are under pressure and it’s not going well, you sort of start making the wrong decisions."
