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Liverpool transfer news: Xherdan Shaqiri signing misses out to Khalil Mack trade for best transfer award

The analytics community in the United States shortlisted the Reds' deal to bring the Swiss international to Anfield from Stoke City

Tuesday 19 March 2019 11:42 GMT

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Jurgen Klopp says 'nothing is decided' after Liverpool's victory at Fulham sends them top

Liverpool's owners have narrowly missed out on an award for best deal of the year after their business at Anfield and with the Boston Red Sox.

The transfer of Xherdan Shaqiri and the signing of J.D. Martinez were shortlisted by the analytics community for the award.

Shaqiri cost the Reds just £13.5m from relegated Stoke City last summer.

The Swiss international was snapped up after his release clause was triggered.

And the 27-year-old has proven to be a valuable addition to Jurgen Klopp's squad, firing six goals in the Premier League, including a double in the victory over Manchester United at Anfield.

Player ratings: Fulham vs Liverpool

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1/23Player ratings: Fulham vs Liverpool

Player ratings: Fulham vs Liverpool

Fulham vs Liverpool

Getty Images

Player ratings: Fulham vs Liverpool

Sergio Rico - 4

Must have felt he was doing OK when it was 1-1 with 10 minutes left before he spilled Salah’s shot at Mane’s feet and then pulled him over in the box. It was an obvious penalty and Rico had ruined all of his good work. Did at least stop it from getting worse with a save from Salah soon after.

Getty Images

Player ratings: Fulham vs Liverpool

Timothy Fosu-Mensah - 5

Trusted by Scott Parker to come back into the side and he was a powerful tackler at right back. It was never easy with Robertson and Mane doubling up on him but that was not his fault and he could hardly have worked harder than he did.

REUTERS

Player ratings: Fulham vs Liverpool

Calum Chambers - 5

Certainly an improvement on Maxime LeMarchand, he had a very difficult task here but handled it well. Never going to be quick but he is at least competent on the ball.

Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Player ratings: Fulham vs Liverpool

Tim Ream - 6

Another player who looks lifted by the changed mood here, he threw himself into everything, blocking and tackling and trying to stem the tide of red shirts. Clearly still very popular with the crowd here too.

Getty Images

Player ratings: Fulham vs Liverpool

Joe Bryan - 5

Had a slightly easier time than Fosu-Mensah on the opposite side, he was assiduous in his defensive duties, dealing with Salah and Alexander Arnold as well as he could. Pinned back, he barely managed to get up the pitch and attack as he likes to.

REUTERS

Player ratings: Fulham vs Liverpool

Tom Cairney - 6

What a shame that Cairney was ignored by Claudio Ranieri for so long. The local favourite was restored in central midfield, providing those little touches and passes to keep Fulham ticking. Even if he did not see as much of the ball as he would hope.

REUTERS

Player ratings: Fulham vs Liverpool

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa - 6

Playing holding midfield against Liverpool is a nightmare, an exertion of constant pressure, but here he held his own. He won the ball, used it cleverly, and nearly pulled off a dramatic equaliser from outside the box.

AFP/Getty Images

Player ratings: Fulham vs Liverpool

Jean Michael Seri - 6

At times this season it has been impossible to see why he was so sought after last year, but not today. He was busy, ambitious, energetic, always trying to push forward even if things did not always work. Hooked for Ryan Sessegnon after an hour, however.

PA

Player ratings: Fulham vs Liverpool

Floyd Ayite - 6

Brought in for his first league start of the season and it showed. Ayite had Robertson surging past him every time and he never looked like he could catch up. But in the second half he was part of Fulham’s fightback, even having a header disallowed for offside.

Getty Images

Player ratings: Fulham vs Liverpool

Aleksandar Mitrovic - 5

He has been Fulham’s difference-maker for much of this season but here he was anonymous and powerless, winning nothing against Virgil van Dijk, unable to give his team the slightest presence in the game.

PA

Player ratings: Fulham vs Liverpool

Ryan Babel - 8

Claimed before the game that he knew Van Dijk’s secret weakness, and who would argue with him now? Scored what could have been a huge goal in the season when he got in between Van Dijk and Allison, bundling in an equaliser which he refused to celebrate. While it was a surprise, it was also a reward for Fulham’s only attacking player who had been willing to take anyone on all afternoon.

REUTERS

Player ratings: Fulham vs Liverpool

Alisson Becker - 5

This could have been a definitive moment of his Liverpool career had it not been for Milner’s late penalty. Slow coming off his line from Van Dijk’s header, he let Babel get in to, if only briefly, reduce Liverpool’s lead.

PA

Player ratings: Fulham vs Liverpool

Trent Alexander-Arnold - 7

Such a graceful menace high up the right wing for Liverpool. He barely did any defending here but every time he got the ball he whipped it perfectly into the box, giving them a width and range to their attack that few other right-backs provide.

AFP/Getty Images

Player ratings: Fulham vs Liverpool

Joel Matip - 6

Barely a day for defending but he did well against Mitrovic and Babel when he had to, and was free to set the tone on the ball, passing it forward briskly, getting things started.

Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Player ratings: Fulham vs Liverpool

Virgil van Dijk - 5

The best defender in the world made the worst mistake of his life here, misjudging a header back to Allison, getting caught, and seeing Ryan Babel take advantage. Fortunately for Van Dijk, Milner saved the day at the other end soon after. Had Liverpool drawn it would have been agony for a man who has been so important to their success.

Getty Images

Player ratings: Fulham vs Liverpool

Andrew Robertson - 8

Spent the whole game in Fulham’s half and was involved in every attack. With a bit more luck he would have scored and assisted plenty but he had to make do with simply starting the move for Mane’s opener.

REUTERS

Player ratings: Fulham vs Liverpool

Georginio Wijnaldum - 7

Did not have much destructive work to do – Fulham did not have enough of the ball – but he was dangerous going forward and had two opportunities to score. Kept Liverpool moving and on the front foot all afternoon.

AP

Player ratings: Fulham vs Liverpool

Fabinho - 7

So important in games like this, sitting in front of the centre-backs, allowing both full-backs to push forwards and pin Fulham back. With and without the ball he was in complete control of everything he did.

AFP/Getty Images

Player ratings: Fulham vs Liverpool

Adam Lallana - 6

Here to make sure that the Liverpool midfield does not lack dynamism, he was as busy as ever, darting around, putting Fulham under pressure, keeping the ball moving. After a long trouble with injuries he certainly gives this team more options.

REUTERS

Player ratings: Fulham vs Liverpool

Mohamed Salah - 6

Maybe he is not on top of his game right now but he is still a scampering threat to any opposition. Fulham tired themselves out just trying to stop him and of course it was his opportunistic shot that Rico spilled to make the penalty to win it.

Action Images via Reuters

Player ratings: Fulham vs Liverpool

Roberto Firmino - 6

It only takes him one little opening to make the difference. Here he was, running onto Mane’s pass, stepping over it, passing the ball back, to set up Liverpool’s opener. He did not do too much else but he did not need to.

REUTERS

Player ratings: Fulham vs Liverpool

Sadio Mane - 8

Is Mane the most dangerous player in the world right now? Never let Fulham rest with his running, and scored his 11th in 11 games, with a move entirely of his own making. His powerful dribble, his lay-off to Firmino, his smooth finish. And of course he won the penalty that saved the game.

Liverpool FC via Getty Images

The Alpha Award for “Best Transaction” was won by the Oakland Raiders at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference (SSAC) in Boston, report The Athletic.

The Raiders were celebrated for trading away Khalil Mack to the Chicago Bears, despite being heavily criticised for the deal by the wider media and fans.

The highlight of the deal from John Gruden's side's point of view was the two first round picks sent their way by the Bears, which are especially valuable in the NFL due to the modest contracts players receive coming out of college.

Jurgen Klopp's record in the transfer market has been impressive of late, with big-money purchases for Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah paying off.

Shaqiri has made an impact with Liverpool (Liverpool FC via Getty) (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

While Shaqiri and other more modest deals, including Andy Robertson from Hull for £8m, have also seen the Reds jump into contention for the Premier League and Champions League.

Shortlist for Alpha Award for "Best Transaction"

Khalil Mack was traded to the Chicago Bears last year (Getty)

Winner: Oakland Raiders for Khalil Mack trade

Atlanta Hawks for Luka Doncic trade

San Antonio Spurs for Kawhi Leonard trade

Boston Red Sox for signing J.D. Martinez

Liverpool for signing Xherdan Shaqiri

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