Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp considering leaving Xherdan Shaqiri at home for trip to Red Star Belgrade to avoid distractions
LIVERPOOL manager Jurgen Klopp could leave Xherdan Shaqiri at home for the trip to Belgrade in a bid to avoid distractions.
Swiss international Shaqiri has Kosovo-Albanian heritage and enraged Serbian fans when he did the 'Albanian Eagle' celebration during the World Cup.
He also wears the Kosovo flag on his boots.
Klopp has until Monday morning to decide, when the Reds fly out.
According to the , Klopp is wary that Shaqiri being involved could create a charged and hostile atmosphere among Red Star Belgrade's home fans.
Kosovo declared independence in 2008 but Serbia is one of a number of nations that refuses to recognise it as a state, with relations between the countries tense.
Shaqiri was booed every time he touched the ball when Red Star visited Anfield two weeks ago.
After a 4-0 Liverpool win, Shaqiri said he was determined to play in the Serbian capital.
He said: "I just go there to play a football game,” he said. “It is not about politics, it is about football. I worry about nothing and go to play.
"I had this (booing) already at the World Cup so I know I can handle this no problem."
Shaqiri was also fined £7,630 for the celebration during the tournament, with his actions being dubbed "unsportsmanlike" by Fifa.
The Serbian FA had called for Shaqiri to be banned for a "provocative gesture", but the winger escaped punishment.
When the two teams were drawn together, Red Star general director Zvezdan Terzic said Shaqiri would be under "unbelievable psychological pressure" if he made the trip to Belgrade.
"Personally I can’t imagine that an Albanian will play for Red Star," Terzic said. "Red Star is a Serbian club, Partizan (Belgrade) was Yugoslav.
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"I think that Shaqiri will be under unbelievable psychological pressure because he will know where he is coming. He knows that the Red Star is a symbol of Serbia and playing the Marakana, I don’t know whether he will play.
"Of course as a football club we treat our rivals equally and we do not have to deal with the past and the history.
"Red Star must do everything to make Shaqiri feel that he came to play football and it is our duty to protect him in the case of unwanted situations. Let’s be good hosts."