Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has potentially silenced any speculation regarding the Anfield future of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
The 27-year-old has been in inspired form during pre-season friendlies for the Reds and has been utilised as a makeshift false nine at times over the last few weeks.
Linked with a move away from Merseyside following a disappointing 2020/21 campaign, Oxlade-Chamberlain played like a man with a point to prove as Klopp’s side overcame Osasuna 3-1 in the final pre-season clash on Monday.
After the Anfield clash, Klopp spoke to the club’s official website, as cited by Liverpool FC News on Twitter, about the Englishman and seemed to rule out an impending departure.
Look, I know Ox for so long now it was not necessary to talk. It was clear what the thing is – he needed a full pre-season. [The same] for plenty of players. For Taki it was the first pre-season with us properly; it was the first pre-season for a long time with Ox. It helps for all of them who were part of all the sessions, that helps and you can then get the games. I think Ox played in six pre-season games, was part of it, Taki probably as well. You can see then how much it means. The same for yesterday when you think about Naby, it’s the same for him – that it’s very important. That’s what you need and now we have a proper situation and with how it looked tonight, come on, make the line-up for Norwich. Who do you want to leave out after these two games?
The German went on to say that ‘hopefully’ the likes of Oxlade-Chamberlain can stay fit for the entire season and that the 35-cap star can put pressure on when it comes to selection.
Last season the man signed for £35million from Arsenal in 2017 (Sky Sports) made just 17 appearances for the Reds.
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Overall during an injury-hit Merseyside career, Oxlade-Chamberlain has certainly shown glimpses of a player worthy of a prolonged role in the first-team.
Currently performing like a player fighting for a place in Klopp’s plans, all associated with the club will hope the versatile ace can enjoy a clean bill of health and once again prove his worth.
