---
title: "Journalist backs Klopp to ‘persevere’ with Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/articles/journalist-backs-klopp-to-persevere-with-keita-and-oxlade-chamberlain/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Articles"
published: "2020-03-04T21:00:00Z"
modified: "2020-03-04T21:00:00Z"
---

# Journalist backs Klopp to ‘persevere’ with Keita and Oxlade-Chamberlain

Jurgen Klopp will ‘persevere’ with Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain beyond the summer, according to [The Athletic](https://theathletic.com/1648845/2020/03/04/liverpool-chelsea-atletico-mailbag-james-pearce/)‘s James Pearce.

The midfield pair have suffered hit-and-miss seasons for Liverpool, particularly Keita, who has continued to pick up [injuries](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/naby-keita/verletzungen/spieler/302215).

Oxlade-Chamberlain has contributed more, chipping in with [seven goals](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/84146/Show/Alex-Oxlade-Chamberlain), but he [hasn’t completed 90 minutes since December](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/84146/Fixtures/Alex-Oxlade-Chamberlain).

Speaking in a [Q&A](https://theathletic.com/1648845/2020/03/04/liverpool-chelsea-atletico-mailbag-james-pearce/) on Wednesday, Pearce discussed the duo’s future, claiming they remain part of Klopp’s plans moving forward:

> I expect Klopp to persevere with them both beyond the summer but with Adam Lallana leaving as a free agent there is a strong case to be made that another midfielder needs to be recruited.

### Read Liverpool Verdict

I don’t think there is any need whatsoever to even contemplate selling Keita or Oxlade-Chamberlain this summer.

The former is frustrating to watch, as he struggles to match the hype that accompanied his arrival in 2018 – that being said, he still has so much to offer if he can stay, bringing guile and intelligence to the midfield.

Meanwhile, it shouldn’t be forgotten that Oxlade-Chamberlain is still overcoming an extremely serious knee injury, so a level of patience is required with him.

His eye for goal and dynamism make him a different kind of midfield option for Klopp, though, and the positives comfortably outweigh the negatives with him.

I would keep hold of both ahead of next season, viewing them as key squad members for years to come.