Liverpool
West Ham reviving interest in this £13m Liverpool outcast would be a brilliant swoop
Why West Ham should make a move for Xherdan Shaqiri in January
According to a report from the Guardian, Manuel Lanzini is set to be out for two months after fracturing his collarbone during West Ham’s 3-0 defeat against Burnley at the weekend.
The Argentina international, 26, had to have oxygen, following a collision with Ashley Westwood during the added time in the second half at Turf Moor. He was removed from the pitch on a stretcher and was subsequently taken to hospital.
Lanzini’s injury has compounded further misery on Manuel Pellegrini, whose side slumped into 16th place after yet another lacklustre display. They are winless in their last six league matches.
West Ham’s defensive frailties have been exposed by the absence of Lukasz Fabianski, who is out after a torn hip muscle. At the other end of the pitch, the Hammers have lacked energy, creativity, penetration and, more importantly, goals.
Sebastien Haller is without a goal for four games while Pablo Fornals hasn’t set the world alight, following his summer switch from Villarreal.
Felipe Anderson has looked like a shadow of his former self and his form will be a real concern for Pellegrini. And with Lanzini set to be sidelined for two months, the east Londoners can certainly do well by signing a creative midfielder in January.
Back in May, the Metro had claimed that West Ham were interested in signing Liverpool star Xherdan Shaqiri (h/t The Daily Post). However, a deal didn’t materialize before the start of the 2019/20 campaign.
Xherdan Shaqiri, 28, only joined Liverpool last summer from Stoke City for £13m. He had a mixed debut season at Anfield, with Jurgen Klopp mainly using him as an impact substitute. The Swiss winger has barely featured for the Reds this season and missed the international breakthrough injury too.
With Shaqiri failing to nail down a regular place in Klopp’s side, West Ham must reignite their interest in the player during the January transfer window.
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Capable of playing on either wing and behind the striker, the 28-year-old forward would be a solid option for the Hammers, adding a lethal option in the final third.
West Ham already have an attack with plenty of quality but Shaqiri could make them more of a threat. The Switzerland international undoubtedly has what it takes to be a hit at the London Stadium.
Verdict
West Ham must go all in for Shaqiri in January, as the former Bayern Munich man will add a much-needed cutting edge to their attack.
Arsenal Women look to bounce back from consecutive frustrating results when they host bottom-of-the-table Liverpool at Emirates Stadium.
The Gunners have drawn their last two WSL matches and sit fourth, eight points behind leaders Manchester City, while the Reds remain winless with just two points from eight games.
Kick-off: 12:00 GMT, Saturday, December 6, 2025
Venue: Emirates Stadium
TV: Sky Sports Football
Form Guide
Arsenal held Tottenham to a goalless north London derby at Brisbane Road on November 16, dominating possession but failing to convert 13 attempts into goals.
Three days later, they came from behind to beat Real Madrid 2-1 in the Champions League at Meadow Park, with Alessia Russo scoring twice after Caroline Weir’s opener.
Liverpool drew 1-1 with Chelsea at Anfield before the international break, their second consecutive draw following a 1-1 stalemate with Brighton. The Reds sit bottom with two points and have lost all three away fixtures, scoring just once on the road this season.
Team News
Arsenal’s Chloe Kelly is a major doubt after lasting just 20 minutes of England’s 2-0 win over Ghana on Tuesday, clutching her knee following a blocked cross. Sarina Wiegman confirmed Kelly “felt something with her knee that didn’t feel right” but could walk off. Her availability for Saturday remains uncertain.
Captain Kim Little could return after missing international duty, though Lia Walti remains unavailable. Leah Williamson continues recovering from her Euro 2025 knee injury. Katie Reid (ACL), Lina Hurtig, Laura Wienroither and Manuela Zinsberger (ACL) are all long-term absentees.
Liverpool captain Grace Fisk is ruled out for 10 days after suffering a calf problem during England training. Risa Shimizu also remains sidelined. Sophie Roman Haug and Marie Hobinger are long-term casualties with ACL injuries suffered days apart in October.
Predicted Lineups
Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Van Domselaar; Fox, Wubben-Moy, Catley, McCabe; Walti, Little; Foord, Maanum, Mead; Russo
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Laws; Parry, Clark, Matthews, Hinz; Holland, Nagano; Lundgaard, Daniels, Enderby; Olsson
Liverpool
Injury to Key Defender on International Duty Frustrates Liverpool Boss Gareth Taylor: “Has Come at a Really Bad Time”
Liverpool captain Grace Fisk will miss at least 10 days after suffering a calf injury during England duty, ruling her out of Saturday’s crucial WSL clash against Arsenal.
Head coach Gareth Taylor expressed frustration at the timing, particularly given the club’s limited defensive options with Risa Shimizu already sidelined.
Grace Fisk’s Calf Injury Leaves Liverpool Boss Gareth Taylor “Frustrated” Ahead of Arsenal Clash
Fisk withdrew from England’s squad on Monday after picking up the injury in training ahead of Tuesday’s friendly against Ghana at St Mary’s Stadium.
The 27-year-old was an unused substitute during England’s 8-0 demolition of China at Wembley on Saturday, having earned her first senior call-up following Katie Reid’s ACL injury in October.
Taylor Faces Selection Headache
Speaking to Liverpool’s official website, Taylor confirmed Fisk’s absence compounds existing defensive problems. With Shimizu unavailable and Lucy Parry restricted to limited minutes, the manager faces difficult decisions ahead of fixtures against Arsenal, Aston Villa and West Ham before the winter break.
Injury-Hit Squad Struggles
Liverpool remain winless in eight WSL matches this season, collecting just two points while sitting bottom of the table.
Recent draws against Brighton and reigning champions Chelsea showed improvement, but the club has been decimated by injuries across the squad. Sophie Roman Haug and Marie Hobinger both suffered ACL injuries days apart, while Alejandra Bernabe has managed only seven minutes all season following her own injury return.
Steph Houghton has urged Liverpool to reinvest the £1 million received from Olivia Smith’s summer sale to Arsenal during January’s transfer window to boost their survival chances.
Also read: Grace Fisk Update: What Has Caused The Liverpool Defender to Withdraw From England Squad?
Grace Fisk has been forced to withdraw from the England squad after suffering a minor calf injury, ruling the Liverpool defender out of Tuesday’s friendly against Ghana at St Mary’s Stadium.
The 27-year-old centre-back was an unused substitute during England’s 8-0 demolition of China at Wembley on Saturday but has since picked up the injury that will see her return to Liverpool for treatment. England head coach Sarina Wiegman confirmed the news during Monday’s press conference.
Grace Fisk Withdraws From England Squad After Picking Up Calf Injury Following China Win: No Replacement Called Up
Wiegman has opted not to draft in a replacement for Fisk given the squad are nearing the end of the current international camp. The decision makes sense with just one fixture remaining before players return to their clubs for the busy festive period.
However, there will be one new face in the squad. Goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck has been recalled after recovering from injury, replacing Manchester City’s Khiara Keating in the setup. The Aston Villa keeper’s return provides welcome depth between the posts for Wiegman.
Homecoming Series Finale
Tuesday’s match against Ghana at Southampton brings England’s ‘Homecoming Series’ to a close. The Lionesses have recorded victories over China (8-0) and Australia during the series, with their only defeat coming against Brazil earlier in the schedule.
The fixture represents the final international engagement of 2025 for Wiegman’s side, who will be keen to sign off another successful year with a positive result on home soil. Tickets remain on sale for the 7pm kick-off at St Mary’s Stadium.
Fisk’s Liverpool Season
The injury comes at an awkward time for Fisk, who has been a regular for Liverpool this season despite the club’s struggles near the bottom of the WSL table. Matt Beard’s side desperately need points when domestic action resumes, making Fisk’s fitness crucial to their survival hopes.
Liverpool have endured a nightmare campaign so far, sitting bottom after eight matches with just four points. They face Arsenal on their return to WSL action in early December, followed immediately by a tricky clash against Aston Villa , two fixtures where Fisk’s defensive solidity will be vital if she can recover in time.
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