---
title: "Nicol backs Oxlade-Chamberlain to take Milner’s squad place"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/articles/nicol-backs-oxlade-chamberlain-to-take-milners-squad-place/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Articles"
published: "2019-11-13T14:00:58Z"
modified: "2019-11-13T14:00:58Z"
---

# Nicol backs Oxlade-Chamberlain to take Milner’s squad place

Steve Nicol believes Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will eventually take James Milner’s place in Liverpool’s squad.

The pair are both currently struggling to start big games for the Reds, although Milner seems to be a more trusted player overall.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has been in impressive form lately, but he is still working his way back to full fitness after a serious knee injury.

There are claims that Milner could leave Liverpool at the end of the season, with a return to Leeds United mooted.

[Speaking](https://www.teamtalk.com/news/liverpool-great-names-james-milner-successor-as-leeds-rumours-swirl) to *ESPN FC*, Nicol outlined why he thought this would pave the way for Oxlade-Chamberlain to feature more prominently, should it happen:

> The fact that Chamberlain has come in, I think probably he’s going to be the guy that will replace the minutes that Milner gets, eventually.

> They have \[Naby\] Keita, so they’ve got plenty of options in the middle and as I said, the hard work that the middle three has to do, you need options.

> I’m forgetting \[Georginio\] Wijnaldum as well who’s been superb and who’s probably the most technical player out of all the players in the middle.

> So they’ve got competition for places, they’ve got guys who he knows will work their tail off, and he’s got guys right now who not only will work their tail off, but every now and again will add something as well.[https://www.teamtalk.com/news/former-liverpool-man-suarez-identifies-next-club-as-barcelona-exit-looms](https://www.teamtalk.com/news/former-liverpool-man-suarez-identifies-next-club-as-barcelona-exit-looms)

### Read Liverpool Verdict

Milner is approaching his 34th birthday, so there is a chance he could leave Liverpool next summer.

He and Oxlade-Chamberlain are very different players, however, so Nicol’s comments don’t make complete sense.

The latter would likely have more chance to play a prominent role, though, especially if he returns the player he was before injury.

Even if Milner stays, both will continue to be important members of this Liverpool squad.