Liverpool have had great success in recent years snapping up players from relegated clubs. There was Gini Wijnaldum from Newcastle United in 2016 and Andy Robertson from Hull City one year later.
And, eventually, Xherdan Shaqiri from Stoke City in 2018. The Swiss international joined the Reds on this day four years ago after they triggered his £13m release clause.
Shaqiri ended the 2017/18 season as the Potters' top scorer with eight goals and his availability that summer at an affordable price alerted clubs across Europe. And it wasn't the first time Liverpool had eyes on Shaqiri either - as he came close to making the move to Anfield four years earlier in 2014.
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The player revealed in an interview with spox.com two years later how close he came to joining the Reds and the conversations he had with then-manager Brendan Rodgers. “That was my wish. I had offers from Liverpool and Atletico Madrid," Shaqiri said in 2016.
"I opted for Liverpool. Brendan Rodgers contacted me a few times during the World Cup. But Bayern blocked my move. There were several talks and it got loud a few times. Those responsible at Bayern believed my situation would change, it didn’t, and we were right.”
He eventually got his move. However, Shaqiri wasn't able to have the impact he might have truly hoped with the Reds. Competition for places under Jurgen Klopp was and is fierce with the vast amount of attacking talent at the manager's disposal. But even when Shaqiri showed glimpses of what he could bring to the team, injuries often hampered his playing time.
He ended his Liverpool career after three years as he joined Ligue 1 side Lyon in the summer of 2021. His time in France wasn't much better, either, and he departed just six months later to join Major League Soccer side Chicago Fire.
Shaqiri did, however, fulfil the promise he initially made when he joined the Reds. He said at the time: "As a player you always want to be on the biggest stage in football. A few years ago I wanted to come too but it didn't happen. I'm really happy that now I'm finally here. I want to improve myself too, I want to be with the best and I want to win titles."
The 30-year-old did just that. During his time at Liverpool, Shaqiri won the Champions League, Premier League, FIFA Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup. Although he wasn't a mainstay in Klopp's side, his contributions over the years played a part in the club's success.
In his first season with the Reds, he came on as a substitute against Manchester United at Anfield and scored a memorable brace in front of the Kop to win the game. Fast forward later that season and he was named in the starting line-up to face Barcelona in what became a historical night for the club.
Wijnaldum met Shaqiri's floating cross and headed in Liverpool's third goal of the game to send the ground into absolute bedlam as they were well on their way to completing the impossible and reaching the Champions League final. "I never saw this in my life. It was something special tonight, a special night at Anfield definitely," Shaqiri said after the famous comeback win over Barca.
"It's crazy, it's crazy, it's unbelievable what we achieved today. It's difficult to speak about this crazy game because we are still full of adrenaline in our bodies, celebrating. I'm just really proud of this team, for these fans - they push us all year. All year they are behind this club and the fans are something really special."
The 2020/21 season proved to be Shaqiri's last. He had been linked with a move away sooner, with the influence he had for his national side never quite translating into his form for Liverpool.
His moments of magic were special, but they were few and far between. Injuries played their part but the fact of the matter is he was never going to be a central figure as he was for Switzerland or was for Stoke. Shaqiri's versatility helped to an extent, so much so Klopp felt his signing at the time required little thought. The Reds boss said: "I think the English phrase to explain the decision to sign Xherdan is a 'no-brainer'.
"I know him well from his time in Switzerland and especially Germany - I have been a long-time admirer. But the added bonus now is that he knows the Premier League and what it takes to perform in this uniquely intense environment. He has speed and ability, has the right amount of arrogance on the football pitch, real bravery to want the ball and influence things. He is someone who makes a big difference to the squad and team, because he can fit in so many positions in our system."
Had Shaqiri joined the club at a different point in time, maybe in 2014 when the initial interest was there, the story might have been different.. His stint on Merseyside was successful by all accounts with the trophies he helped win, but he no doubt would have wanted to become a more central figure to a team competing for the greatest prizes in the game.
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