Liverpool legend-turned-pundit Michael Owen believes his former side do not require to spend on another attacker, having already replaced Philippe Coutinho with Xherdan Shaqiri during the summer. The Switzerland international arrived from Stoke City earlier in July after the Reds agreed to trigger the £13.5m release clause written into the player’s contract.

Shaqiri thereafter made a slow start to proceedings with a bench role but of late, he has transformed in fortunes, contributing a goal or an assist in five of his previous six matches. In a report covered by The Star, Owen was full of praise for the former Champions League winner, who has quickly settled into the surroundings of his new club.

“Since he’s been at Liverpool he’s created a couple of assists, he had a great pre-season. But he’s that way inclined isn’t he, you wouldn’t necessarily trust him to put in a great defensive performance. But give him the ball and he can create chances. He sees it, he’s a good finisher. In general, Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp have beat the big teams and they’ve struggled against the lesser teams. Since Coutinho’s left, that guile to unlock the defence, of course they’ve got a lot of pace with (Mohamed) Salah and (Sadio) Mane, but this lad can just create something,” he said.

“Liverpool’s concerns at the start of the campaign were focused on the lack of attacking depth behind the trident of Mohamed Salah“, Sadio Mane, and Roberto Firmino. However, Shaqiri and Daniel Sturridge has managed to provide the additional options from the “bench with good success“ and it may come as a surprise, if they are to pursue another attacker at the turn of the year.

Jurgen Klopp’s team have opened the Premier League with nine wins and three draws from their opening 12 matches and the run sees them only two points behind leaders Manchester City. Next up, they are scheduled to face Watford on the road after the international break.