The Swiss winger insists there has been no concrete offer from the Reds but claims that he is an admirer of the Premier League

EXCLUSIVE
By Fabio Porta

Bayern Munich winger Xherdan Shaqiri has admitted he is flattered by reported interest from Liverpool and insists that “you have to listen to the offer” when “top clubs” come calling.

The Switzerland international has been used sparingly by boss Pep Guardiola during the 2013-14 campaign, with the 22-year-old facing a tough battle with the likes of Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery, Mario Gotze and Thomas Muller to break into the starting XI.

The former Basel star, who joined Bayern at the start of 2012, has been linked with an Allianz Arena exit with Liverpool, Juventus and Napoli all having been reported as potential destinations in recent times.

And, when quizzed about the speculation on his future, he told Goal: “When you hear these names, of course you have to listen to the offer, but there is nothing concrete.

“I cannot say anything to this. I am feeling good in Munich but as a player you have to listen, if one of these top clubs is interested.

“I hear the interest from Borussia Monchengladbach for the first time. You have to ask Gladbach. I cannot say anything.”

Asked his thoughts on his favoured league in European football, Shaqiri insisted he remains happy in Germany but that the Premier League and Serie A would be of appeal.

He added: “Bundesliga is the best league for me, but I also like the Premier League and Serie A. In Serie A many teams have developed well with nice players.”

The Manchester United striker notes that off-field troubles have hampered the Liverpool star’s career at times but feels his desire to succeed on the pitch can only be praised

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney says he “can’t help but admire” Liverpool counterpart Luis Suarez and says that his side will begrudgingly have to respect their rivals if they win the title.

The Uruguayan has enjoyed a hugely prolific season – boasting 24 goals and 10 assists in 23 Premier League games – but missed the first six fixtures of the season due to his ban for biting Branislav Ivanovic.

Rooney hinted at Suarez’s past misdemeanours – including a suspension for racially abusing United left-back Patrice Evra – but the England man admits his determination to succeed is highly commendable.

“People say Suarez is a street footballer like me, but I’d bet where he grew up in Uruguay was a lot tougher than where I grew up in Liverpool,” he told the Daily Mirror.

“Anyone who knows football can see he’s got that fight and desire in him. He’ll do anything to be successful.

“Now and then it all goes wrong for him, but as a footballer, I can’t help but admire him.”

Liverpool travel to Old Trafford 11 points clear of United in the league and fully in the race for the Premier League title, while David Moyes’ side retain only a slim chance of finishing in the top-four.

He continued: “If Liverpool win the league, it will be down to the fact that they are the best team in the country. No one at United will like that, but we will still have to respect them for the achievement.

“We want to win because of what it means to us. This is a massive period. Liverpool, then Olympiacos in the Champions League [this Wednesday] and next week it’s the derby against Manchester City.

“Those games will go a long way to shaping our season. We still haven’t given up on fourth place and we also think the tie against Olympiacos is retrievable.

“If we win, then it will give us a lot of confidence that the season is still alive. It’s a big challenge – but for as long as I’ve been at Manchester United we have always relished big challenges.

“It was the end of an era when Sir Alex Ferguson left, but it wasn’t the end of Manchester United. It’s been a ­ disappointing season for us so far, but anyone who thinks that this is the start of a decline couldn’t be more wrong.

“This is a one-off. This season has been a blip. There will be no more backwards steps for Manchester United. We are only looking forward.”

The Red Devils have dominated English football for the best part of 20 years, but the team they replaced at the top of the tree now have the opportunity to turn the tables

It was September 2002 when Sir Alex Ferguson delivered one of his most famous retorts. “My greatest challenge was knocking Liverpool right off their f****** perch. And you can print that.”

Even if Liverpool fans argue that years of mismanagement at Anfield had more than played its part in their demise, it was certainly Ferguson who would take the credit for establishing Manchester United in their stead.

Liverpool had ruled the roost from the early 1970s to the late 1980s. Dark days for United, the first English club to win the European Cup, who watched on as the Merseysiders took Europe by storm and went 18-7 up in terms of English top-flight titles.

But they had entered the wilderness under the stewardship of Graeme Souness and by the time Ferguson left Old Trafford last summer the club he rebuilt in his image had racked up a total of 20 titles, with Liverpool stuck on 18.

But with United at a crossroads under their new boss, David Moyes, and with Liverpool playing some of their best, most confident football of the last two decades, there will be a feeling among both sets of supporters that the tables could turn again.

Back in the 1980s Ferguson bitterly complained that managers “have to leave [Anfield] choking on their own vomit, biting their tongue, afraid to tell the truth.” He soon made Old Trafford that place where the opposition would hate to go – United did not concede from a league penalty once between 1993 and 2004. But that fear factor has gone.

United remain a giant of European football, making money hand over fist with lucrative commercial deals established monthly. But all that wealth will be needed to overhaul a squad that has at times this season looked to have thrown in the towel.

Moyes, who has worked on a shoestring budget until joining United, and new vice-chairman Ed Woodward will be entrusted to spend that money on players who will keep the club at the top of the tree, but it will not be easy.

With Ferguson gone, it is a fact that United’s pulling power has diminished. They are a club players will still want to join, but if they fail to qualify for the Champions League that will represent yet another stumbling block in their bid to sign the world’s finest players. Lest we forget, Moyes’ first transfer window at United ended in an internal enquiry.

Even if they bring in the five or six top names they are said to be chasing, they will be replacing a core part of Ferguson’s squad. How many times has such a huge overhaul paid instant dividends?

A year ago it would be unthinkable that United would be no longer considered top-four shoe-ins, but that is now the reality. Manchester City and Chelsea are permanent fixtures, and Arsenal are proven specialists, so it is Liverpool who will most likely be vying for that final seat at Europe’s top table.

Their turnaround under Brendan Rodgers has been remarkable. Kenny Dalglish’s second Anfield reign brought trophies and final appearances but also farce. Rodgers has slowly steadied the ship and, after a difficult first season, has the Reds very much in the title race. The fact he has done so with a small squad and limited investment is testament to his abilities as a manager.

Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge have formed an exciting partnership which not only brings goals but genuine excitement. Young players like Coutinho, Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson have provided a very able supporting cast, which has bailed out a shaky defence on several occasions this season.

They are not the finished article and Liverpool have had their fair share of false dawns over the years – who could have foreseen their collapse in 2009-10? – but Rodgers’ work has fostered excitement at Anfield.

It also goes to show what can be done with smart investment, and should actually give heart to United fans that Moyes can turn around this season’s misfortune and make the club title challengers again this time next year.

Years of success mean only a fool would write United off, and arguably an even bigger fool would back Liverpool to deliver on their promise, but both clubs are currently at a crossroads. The next step, this summer’s transfer market, will be crucial.

If United fail to get their targets they will almost certainly be left behind once again, and even if they do spend the money Moyes must forge a winning squad instantly.

Liverpool’s priority will be keeping hold of Suarez. Rodgers was let down by his board in January and he will need much more support if he is to either build around Suarez or replace him, but in players like Sturridge and Coutinho he has shown he can spot a bargain.

Manchester United are not finished yet, but Liverpool are as close as they have ever been to knocking them right off their perch. And we’ll print that.