Liverpool’s 21-man squad for Champions League game against Red Star. Jurgen Klopp explains why Shaqiri will not be involved

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has named a 21 man squad for the Champions League game against Red Star Belgrade.

Fabinho, Van Dijk, Wijnaldum, Lovren, Milner, Keita, Firmino, Mane, Salah, Gomez, Alisson, Sturridge, Moreno, Lallana, Mignolet, Robertson, Origi, Solanke, Matip, Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold.

Jordan Henderson will remain at Melwood to build up his fitness following his recent hamstring issue, while Nathaniel Clyne misses out due to illness. Explaining Shaiqir’s non-inclusion in the squad, Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com: “It’s a situation where we will go to the fantastic city of Belgrade as a football team to play football. “We have heard and read the speculation and talk about what kind of reception Shaq would receive and although we have no idea what would happen, we want to go there and be focused 100 per cent on football and not have to think about anything else, that’s all. “We are Liverpool FC, a big club, a football team but we don’t have any message further than that. We have no political message, absolutely not. We want the focus to be on a great game of football, free from anything else. “We are keen to be respectful and keen to avoid any distractions that would take the focus away from a 90-minute-plus contest that is important for football and only football. So for that reason, Shaq is not involved and he accepts and understands this. Shaq is our player, we love him, and he will play for us a lot of times, but not on Tuesday. “I have heard so many wonderful things about the city of Belgrade, and the country of Serbia as a whole, from friends and colleagues who’ve visited before, so now I’m really looking forward to taking Liverpool there for a great game of Champions League football.” The Reds are scheduled to depart for Serbia later this morning ahead of Tuesday evening’s fixture.

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