Switzerland boss denies bust-up with Shaqiri

By : Editor

Date: 3 September 2019 5:12am WAT

Liverpool's Swiss midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri celebrates scoring their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Cardiff City at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on October 27, 2018. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Switzerland boss Vladimir Petkovic insists he did not have a bust-up with Xherdan Shaqiri – but admits their relationship could be better.

The Liverpool fringe man controversially asked to be left out of the Swiss squad for Thursday’s clash with Ireland.

He claims he wants to focus on his club future having been such a peripheral figure for the European champions this season.

With 22 goals, Shaqiri is Switzerland’s leading active scorer but he rocked the camp and Petkovic said yesterday: “He thought the best thing was not to come.

“I’ve accepted that. We spoke to Xherdan regularly and we decided to do this. There was no sense having him come if he could not give 100%.

“Players know if they’re ready or not. Some come in even if they’re not playing too much for their club but he didn’t think he could give everything to help the team.”

Denying he had a bust-up with Shaqiri, Petkovic said of their relationship: “It’s okay, could be better. But I don’t want to be pessimistic or negative right now.

“For me, the glass is half full. We have to accept Xherdan’s decision.

“He has made the difference for us in so many games. He has nearly 100 internationals. He’s human and he can have difficult times.”