Liverpool left Swiss forward Xherdan Shaqiri out of the squad for Tuesday's Champions League visit to Red Star Belgrade so they could avoid any distractions, manager Juergen Klopp said.

Shaqiri, an ethnic Albanian of Kosovar heritage, would have faced the prospect of a hostile reception from Red Star fans for the way he celebrated a goal at this year's World Cup in Russia.

Shaqiri scored the winner when Switzerland beat Serbia 2-1 in a group match and made a gesture which appeared to imitate the eagle on Albania's flag. The 27-year-old also had Kosovo's flag imprinted on his boots.

Serbia refuses to recognise the independence of its former southern province Kosovo, whose 1.8 million people are mostly ethnic Albanians, which broke away 10 years ago.

"We are here to play football," Klopp told a news conference on Monday ahead of the Group C game. "Shaqiri will play a lot of games for us but not tomorrow.

"We are in Serbia and we respect that 100 per cent. That’s the world. Politics has always influenced life – on the planet I live at least.

"We have to make sure that we remain focused on football. That’s why we decided what we decided."

Soccer's world governing body FIFA fined Shaqiri 10,000 Swiss francs ($9,970.09) for his gesture, which was deemed to be “unsporting behaviour contrary to the principles of fair-play”. He denied that the celebration had political overtones.

FANTASTIC ATMOSPHERE

Liverpool go into Tuesday's clash top of the section with six points from three games, ahead of Napoli on five and third-placed Paris St Germain on four. Red Star have one point.

Asked if they could not afford to drop points away to the group underdogs, Klopp said there would still be everything to play whatever happens at Red Star's Rajko Mitic stadium.

"It’s not like we have no chance of getting points from the following two games," said the German coach.

"Paris is not an easy place to go to and then we are at home to Napoli but tomorrow is not our only chance.

"I don’t think we should head into the game putting more pressure on to our shoulders and thinking that if we don’t win we have no chance (of reaching the knockout stages).

"You can enjoy the challenge as well and tomorrow is going to be a fantastic atmosphere. I love playing in a big atmosphere with the home fans supporting their teams and we have to make sure we are ready for that."

Earlier on Monday, Red Star coach Vladan Milojevic said he expected his side to be a different team to the one crushed 4-0 at Anfield in the reverse fixture a fortnight ago.

"The atmosphere here is fervent and it gives the players extra energy," he said.

"I am sure Liverpool won’t be bothered, but they will be fascinated. We’ve been to Anfield, it’s a cracking atmosphere there but still a far cry from the noise level here.

"This is a massive event for the whole of Serbia and the region because Liverpool are one of the best teams in the world. It should be a spectacular game."

Liverpool left Swiss forward Xherdan Shaqiri out of the squad for Tuesday's Champions League visit to Red Star Belgrade so they could avoid any distractions, manager Juergen Klopp said.

Liverpool left Swiss forward Xherdan Shaqiri out of the squad for Tuesday's Champions League visit to Red Star Belgrade so they could avoid any distractions, manager Juergen Klopp said. Shaqiri, an ethnic Albanian of Kosovar heritage, would have faced the prospect of a hostile reception from Red Star fans for the way he celebrated a goal at this year's World Cup in Russia. Shaqiri scored the winner when Switzerland beat Serbia 2-1 in a group match and made a gesture which appeared to imitate the eagle on Albania's flag. The 27-year-old also had Kosovo's flag imprinted on his boots. Serbia refuses to recognise the independence of its former southern province Kosovo, whose 1.8 million people are mostly ethnic Albanians, which broke away 10 years ago. "We are here to play football," Klopp told a news conference on Monday ahead of the Group C game. "Shaqiri will play a lot of games for us but not tomorrow. "We are in Serbia and we respect that 100 per cent. That’s the world. Politics has always influenced life – on the planet I live at least. "We have to make sure that we remain focused on football. That’s why we decided what we decided." Soccer's world governing body FIFA fined Shaqiri 10,000 Swiss francs ($9,970.09) for his gesture, which was deemed to be “unsporting behaviour contrary to the principles of fair-play”. He denied that the celebration had political overtones. FANTASTIC ATMOSPHERE Liverpool go into Tuesday's clash top of the section with six points from three games, ahead of Napoli on five and third-placed Paris St Germain on four. Red Star have one point. Asked if they could not afford to drop points away to the group underdogs, Klopp said there would still be everything to play whatever happens at Red Star's Rajko Mitic stadium. "It’s not like we have no chance of getting points from the following two games," said the German coach. "Paris is not an easy place to go to and then we are at home to Napoli but tomorrow is not our only chance. "I don’t think we should head into the game putting more pressure on to our shoulders and thinking that if we don’t win we have no chance (of reaching the knockout stages). "You can enjoy the challenge as well and tomorrow is going to be a fantastic atmosphere. I love playing in a big atmosphere with the home fans supporting their teams and we have to make sure we are ready for that." Earlier on Monday, Red Star coach Vladan Milojevic said he expected his side to be a different team to the one crushed 4-0 at Anfield in the reverse fixture a fortnight ago. "The atmosphere here is fervent and it gives the players extra energy," he said. "I am sure Liverpool won’t be bothered, but they will be fascinated. We’ve been to Anfield, it’s a cracking atmosphere there but still a far cry from the noise level here. "This is a massive event for the whole of Serbia and the region because Liverpool are one of the best teams in the world. It should be a spectacular game."

Liverpool left Shaqiri out of Belgrade trip to focus on game: Juergen Klopp

Poland beat Switzerland 5-4 in a shootout to reach their first European Championship quarter-final, as a riveting clash ended 1-1 after extra time on Saturday, following a brilliant late equaliser by Swiss Xherdan Shaqiri. 
 
Grezgorz Krychowiak drilled in the winning spot-kick after Granit Xhaka had missed Switzerland&rsquo;s second penalty to send the Polish fans at the Geoffroy Guichard stadium into raptures. 
 
The Poles will meet Croatia or Portugal, who play later on Saturday, for a berth in the semis. 
 
Jakub Blaszczykowski had given Poland a 39th-minute lead, before Shaqiri levelled with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 82nd, to send the contest into a dramatic climax. 
 
&quot;We were prepared for this kind of battle,&quot; Poland coach Adam Nawalka said. &quot;The Swiss are a world class side and it was no surprise that they came storming back in the second half. 
 
&quot;But the important thing is that my team showed potential after conceding the equaliser. We are mentally prepared for the quarter-final match in Marseille on Thursday.&quot; 
 
Man of the match Shaqiri, who was superb in the second half and extra time, said the goal meant little after a painful loss. 
 
&quot;It&#39;s a great disappointment, we could have achieved something very big,&quot; the 24-year old forward told a news conference. 
 
&quot;It was a beautiful goal and I am always proud to score for my country, but we are out.&quot; 
 
Gaping goal

Poland dominated the first half and should have gone ahead inside the first minute, when Arkadiusz Milik sent his shot over a gaping goal, following a calamitous defensive mix-up. 
 
With striker Robert Lewandowski subdued, the Poles created had to rely on chances created by livewire left winger Kamil Grosicki and the impressive Blaszczykowski on the other flank. 
 
Switzerland captain Stephan Lichsteiner could not keep up with Grosicki, who fired over the bar from 18 metres after a clever run through the middle. 
 
Blaszczykowski broke the deadlock with a composed finish from 10 metres after a darting run by Grosicki and a dummy from Milik gave the winger time and space to pick his spot. 
 
With Shaqiri and striker Haris Seferovic stifled by Poland&rsquo;s rock-solid defence, the Swiss created little in the opening period despite roaring &ldquo;Go Suisse&rdquo; chants by their supporters. 
 
They came out with renewed purpose in the second half and Shaqiri finally showed a glimpse of his talent with a dazzling solo run and a stinging shot which Lukasz Fabianski parried. 
 
Blaszczykowski had Yann Sommer at full stretch as the pace increased with Switzerland throwing men forward. 
 
Shaqiri produced a moment of magic with one of the best goals of the tournament in the 82nd minute, twisting his body in the air to unleash a fierce shot, which gave Fabianski no chance as it went in off the post. 
 
Galvanised by the goal, Switzerland took the upper hand and dominated extra time, forcing several desperate clearances by a defence which had conceded in only one other match in 2016. 
 
Substitute Eren Derdiyok missed a sitter for the Swiss when Fabianski kept out his close-range header and they paid the price as a rattled Poland held on to force the shootout. 
 
(Reuters)

Poland beat Switzerland 5-4 in a shootout to reach their first European Championship quarter-final, as a riveting clash ended 1-1 after extra time on Saturday, following a brilliant late equaliser by Swiss Xherdan Shaqiri. Grezgorz Krychowiak drilled in the winning spot-kick after Granit Xhaka had missed Switzerland’s second penalty to send the Polish fans at the Geoffroy Guichard stadium into raptures. The Poles will meet Croatia or Portugal, who play later on Saturday, for a berth in the semis. Jakub Blaszczykowski had given Poland a 39th-minute lead, before Shaqiri levelled with a spectacular bicycle kick in the 82nd, to send the contest into a dramatic climax. "We were prepared for this kind of battle," Poland coach Adam Nawalka said. "The Swiss are a world class side and it was no surprise that they came storming back in the second half. "But the important thing is that my team showed potential after conceding the equaliser. We are mentally prepared for the quarter-final match in Marseille on Thursday." Man of the match Shaqiri, who was superb in the second half and extra time, said the goal meant little after a painful loss. "It's a great disappointment, we could have achieved something very big," the 24-year old forward told a news conference. "It was a beautiful goal and I am always proud to score for my country, but we are out." Gaping goal Poland dominated the first half and should have gone ahead inside the first minute, when Arkadiusz Milik sent his shot over a gaping goal, following a calamitous defensive mix-up. With striker Robert Lewandowski subdued, the Poles created had to rely on chances created by livewire left winger Kamil Grosicki and the impressive Blaszczykowski on the other flank. Switzerland captain Stephan Lichsteiner could not keep up with Grosicki, who fired over the bar from 18 metres after a clever run through the middle. Blaszczykowski broke the deadlock with a composed finish from 10 metres after a darting run by Grosicki and a dummy from Milik gave the winger time and space to pick his spot. With Shaqiri and striker Haris Seferovic stifled by Poland’s rock-solid defence, the Swiss created little in the opening period despite roaring “Go Suisse” chants by their supporters. They came out with renewed purpose in the second half and Shaqiri finally showed a glimpse of his talent with a dazzling solo run and a stinging shot which Lukasz Fabianski parried. Blaszczykowski had Yann Sommer at full stretch as the pace increased with Switzerland throwing men forward. Shaqiri produced a moment of magic with one of the best goals of the tournament in the 82nd minute, twisting his body in the air to unleash a fierce shot, which gave Fabianski no chance as it went in off the post. Galvanised by the goal, Switzerland took the upper hand and dominated extra time, forcing several desperate clearances by a defence which had conceded in only one other match in 2016. Substitute Eren Derdiyok missed a sitter for the Swiss when Fabianski kept out his close-range header and they paid the price as a rattled Poland held on to force the shootout. (Reuters)

Poland beat Switzerland 5-4 on penalties

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