Andy Robertson lauds Liverpool teammate Xherdan Shaqiri.

Shaqiri in action at the Etihad [Getty]

Shaqiri looked set for a loan move to Germany, but he decided to remain at Anfield.

Andy Robertson heaped praise on Liverpool teammate Xherdan Shaqiri, saying the Switzerland international is in "phenomenal" form.

The former Bayern Munich midfielder, Shaqiri, was linked with a move to the Bundesliga in the previous transfer window, but he decided to stay at Anfield to fight for his place in Jurgen Klopp's side.

Since then he has had a major impact on the Reds, creating opportunities when needed as he did against West Ham on Merseyside when Diogo Jota found the net and also helped in Sunday's Premier League draw against Man City.

While examining Liverpool's approach towards games this season, left-back Robertson told the club's official website: "Look, that's what happens with players like Diogo – who scored a hat-trick in midweek, he's scored so many goals – and obviously the manager looked at it and thought, 'I have to get him in the team'.

"The front three have been phenomenal the last three years and then we bring on quality like Shaq, who is in such a good moment right now. He has played phenomenal football the past couple of weeks and then we bring on Millie [James Milner], trusty Millie, slotting in for Trent [Alexander-Arnold].

"That was part of us maybe adapting as a team, being able to play different formations, being able to play different personnel and things like that – and we managed to do that against one of the best teams in the league."

On Liverpool's 1-1 draw with Pep Guardiola's Citizens, the Scot said: "I thought we did it pretty well and we can adapt, and it means that we can maybe play it more often – but the 4-3-3 has worked so well for us," he added.

"So we won't play it all the time, but it means we can adapt to certain teams, certain situations and it's about us evolving as a team. So that was a big step."

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