Switzerland coach Vladimir Petković has insisted that Liverpool forward Xherdan Shaqiri was not injured while on duty with his side.
The winger has managed just five appearances for Liverpool this season, continuing to play a peripheral role at Anfield after a disappointing season for him last year.
His last appearance for the Reds came all the way in November, with a 31-minute cameo in the 1-1 draw against Manchester City.
He has since been missing from Liverpool’s matchday squads for their last six Premier League games, as well as their final three Champions League games as well, with Liverpool claiming he is suffering from a hamstring injury.
At the time Jürgen Klopp claimed this injury was picked up on international duty with Switzerland, although this has been denied by his country, who have insisted the player was fit when he returned to his club.
That is something Petković has now doubled down on, as well as aiming something of a criticism at the Liverpool manager’s handling of the situation.
“He didn’t injure himself with us, he trained normally with us when the Ukraine game was cancelled,” he told Blick.
“He hadn’t felt anything with us, but only during training at Liverpool.
“If you’ve had a lot of injuries, you also have a lot of scars, and the muscle is no longer as elastic as it used to be.
“He works extremely hard on it. I firmly believe that he can bring a lot to Liverpool.
“I would have found it more suitable if the club had reported to the Nati doctor. Instead of expressing yourself publicly.”
