Football news - Xherdan Shaqiri left out of Liverpool's Belgrade trip due to possible 'distractions'

The Switzerland midfielder, who is of Kosovar Albanian descent, made a gesture symbolising the double-headed eagle of Albania after scoring a late winner against Serbia.

Manager Jurgen Klopp said he was leaving the player out because of the likely hostile reception Shaqiri would receive in Belgrade.

Shaqiri was fined 10,000 Swiss francs following the incident, and Arsenal duo Granit Xhaka and Stephan Lichtsteiner were also fined for making similar gestures described by FIFA as "unsporting behaviour".

Shaqiri is an ethnic Albanian from Kosovo, the former Serbian province and scene of Nato's military intervention during the conflict between the countries that ended in 1999. Serbia does not recognise Kosovo's independence, declared in 2008, amid ongoing tensions.

"We have heard and read the speculation and talk about what kind of reception Shaq would receive and, although we have no idea what would happen, we want to go there and be focused 100% on football and not have to think about anything else," said Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

"We have no political message, absolutely not. We want the focus to be on a great game of football, free from anything else.

Shaqiri started Liverpool's 4-0 win over Red Star last month, but will not feature as Klopp's team - top of Group C, a point ahead of Napoli and two clear of Paris Saint-Germain - bid to take a step closer to the last 16.