Xherdan Shaqiri's reason for leaving Liverpool as winger back in spotlight at Euro 2024

Since departing Liverpool nearly three years ago, Xherdan Shaqiri's career has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride.

The Reds snapped up Shaqiri from Stoke City back in 2018, and for three seasons, the Swiss international dazzled at Anfield. With eight goals and nine assists across 63 appearances for Liverpool, Shaqiri was a key player in the squad that famously triumphed over Barcelona in the 2019 Champions League semifinal before beating Tottenham in the final.

Liverpool eventually let Shaqiri join Lyon in 2021. However, his stint with the Ligue 1 club was short-lived, as he signed with Major League Soccer's Chicago Fire just a few months later.

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Fast forward to Euro 2024, and Shaqiri is making waves for Switzerland, breaking new records in international football. The former Reds star found the net in Switzerland's 1-1 draw against Scotland on Wednesday, with Andy Robertson playing for the opposition.

Shaqiri's goal marked him as the first player to score in three consecutive European Championships and three World Cups. Since Euro 2016, Shaqiri has managed to score at least one goal in each of the last six international tournaments, a feat no other player has achieved.

However, Shaqiri's record could be matched and surpassed this summer. If Cristiano Ronaldo manages to score for Portugal, he would have found the back of the net in each of the last 10 major tournaments for his country.

Xherdan Shaqiri, despite being part of Liverpool's Champions League and Premier League triumphs, found himself often on the fringes of Jurgen Klopp's starting XI. During his stint at Anfield, Shaqiri was given the nod to start just 25 times over three seasons.

It wasn't until his switch to Lyon was confirmed that he shed light on his reasons for departing Merseyside. "Peter Bosz (former Lyon manager) loves possession (based) attacking football," Shaqiri told TF1's Telefoot show in September 2021, citing the manager's style as a key factor in his decision. "He was one of the main reasons for me to come [to Lyon]. I want to succeed and take them to a new level.

"With my experience and my level of game, I want to help this club regain its former glory. The objective is to win new trophies, to put Lyon back where it was more than ten years ago. It's time to take this team to the place it deserves."