Jurgen Klopp is determined to turn Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain into the free-scoring midfielder he should have but never did become at Arsenal.
Oxlade-Chamberlain will return to the Emirates for the first time since leaving in the summer on Friday night, and asked about his progression at Anfield, Klopp said;
I think the biggest improvement and potential is being involved in goalscoring situations. It is unbelievable but he was not asked for this too much before.
If you watch Arsenal in the past their two decisive players were Mesut Özil and Alexis Sanchez. They were involved in a lot of moments and decisive passes.
Here we put it on many more shoulders. If Alex is on the pitch he needs to be involved in these situations. At the moment it’s all good. There is a lot of space for improvement as well.
Klopp made it clear that he was not criticising the former Southampton youngster, who only scored nine league goals in his six years playing in London. ‘The Ox’ has not been a regular starter for the Reds’ so far, scoring just once in five starts.
Oxlade-Chamberlain hoped to move away from playing wing-back once away from the Emirates, and his manager agrees that his best position is further forward. Klopp said;
His main skills are offensive, that’s true. He is such an athlete. When he came here we spoke about his best position. He can be more involved offensively and better protected defensively. So for me it’s not a big issue if he is a winger or a midfielder.
He is still a young player and can improve. But he isn’t discussing positions with me any more. We just try to give him the information and he enjoys it.
Klopp will be hoping his side continue their good run against Arsenal on Friday, with the Gunners being winless in four.
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