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With Liverpool having made their move for Stoke City's Xherdan Shaqiri - a player previously on the Reds radar before his transfer to the Potteries - we got the inside track on the Swiss international from the Stoke Sentinel's Peter Smith.

If Xherdan Shaqiri does leave Stoke this summer, how do you think his time with the Potters will generally be viewed?



Tricky. There are fans who thought he couldn't have offered that much more - and those who thought he didn't make the contribution he believed he did himself.

Truth is, he couldn't shoulder the entire burden for Stoke's attacking threat. No disgrace in that really. He suggested Ronaldinho would have struggled in the same team, which didn't go down too well in the changing room.

But he provided the most hope and the best moments in a tough campaign. And over the course of three years he scored some terrific goals and embarrassed a few defenders.

In short, some nice memories overshadowed by a team in decline.



Shaqiri is obviously a player of great talent but are there concerns over his consistency?



There was a distinct improvement on that score for most of his third season at Stoke. More assists, more goals rather than the odd game-changing moment.

That flattened out towards the end but perhaps that was partly because opponents knew they could stop the side by stopping him.

His work rate (or supposed lack of it) seems to be an issue that crops up, is this fair?



He doesn't seem to relish the idea of tracking back yet on the other hand it was pretty clear he was fed up of a team playing without discipline or a coherent plan in the final few months under Mark Hughes.

That's what he's got to prove if he wants to hold down a place in a top team. For the prices quoted, it's surely a gamble worth taking.

(Image: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)





What would you say are Shaqiri's greatest strengths as a player?



A couple of things are exciting. When he gets one-on-one with a full-back and can pull off a piece of skill to leave him with his pants around his ankles.

And when he cuts in from the right into space just outside the box to let rip with is left foot. He's got a mean shot from distance.

We saw him score with a header this season too. Don't expect much more of that.

Do you think he could make much of an impact at Liverpool if he did go there and could you see him fitting into their side?



No doubt he's a potential match winner at any level.

He can conjure a moment from nothing and he'd be helped if defenders have other forwards to worry about. It'd be interesting to see just how much.

He's not as rapid as Mane or Salah but he's not slow and he's certainly quick of thought. A counter-attacking system would suit him most.

I'm sure he'd be desperate to make the most of another chance at that level and in terms of fees it seems a pretty low risk gamble.

(Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)

What kind of personality is he within the squad and off the pitch?

He hasn't enjoyed this relegation battle one bit and he can be grumpy when he's losing.

But on the whole I've found him very likeable. He's cheeky and smart and he'll give you a few good one liners.

In a divided changing room at Stoke he was respected by everyone - at least until he gave an interview criticising the lack of quality. In fact, maybe that's why that interview felt like such a punch in the stomach.