Stoke City vs Liverpool: Mark Hughes insists Xherdan Shaqiri won't be sold in January

Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has warned any clubs tempted to make a bid for Xherdan Shaqiri during the January transfer window to start looking elsewhere.

The Potters host Liverpool at the Britannia Stadium on Wednesday with Shaqiri, 26, in excellent form, scoring two goals and laying on three assists in his last four Premier League appearances.

His recent contributions on the pitch could prompt interest from Stoke's Premier League rivals ahead of the winter window, but Hughes insists the club have already decided that no offers for their once-record signing will be entertained.

"He's contracted here, he's doing very well", Hughes said of Shaqiri, a player who nearly joined Liverpool in the summer of 2014. "If anyone shows any interest in him, they'll be quickly rebuked. It's about what we are trying to do here, we need good players," said Hughes.

"We've been able to bring players like Shaq to the club, which maybe we haven't been able to before. And we want to add more of those types of players, that can change games and get people off their seats. Certainly if there are any inquiries for Shaqiri in January, they won't be given much encouragement."

Stoke welcome Liverpool on Wednesday (29 November) having not won in their last three games with a late winner from Mamadou Sakho denying them a point at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Ramadan Sobhi suffered a knock in that defeat but Hughes expects the winger to recover in time for the visit of Jurgen Klopp's side, with Saido Berahino in line to return to the squad after failing to make the 18 over the weekend.

"We didn't know how long Mame Diouf would last on Saturday and needed cover on the bench which is why Saido Berahino missed out. He's in my thoughts for Wednesday," Hughes said.

Stoke welcome Liverpool sat just three points off the relegation zone.