Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has spoken of the ‘relief’ for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain that he sealed a transfer to the Anfield club from Arsenal this summer.
The 24-year-old, who can play as a wing-back or central midfielder as well as a more advanced wide role, was signed from Arsenal in August for £35 million, and made his debut in the Reds’ recent 5-0 loss to Manchester City.
Despite his unfortunate start to life at Anfield though, manager Klopp says it is “all good” when it comes to Oxlade-Chamberlain: “A new start is, very often, kind of a relief,
I thought it made complete sense for Alex to change club, especially to come here. So far, I can see that he has settled in perfectly. He knew at least all of the England players and a few others and he’s a really nice lad so it is easy for him to settle in the team.
Oxlade-Chamberlain is an England regular, with 29 caps to his name and six goals in that time for his country. During Euro 2012, he became the second youngest player ever to represent the Three Lions in an international tournament.
Klopp is optimistic about the contribution the midfielder can make in front of the Kop:
He knows he played all the games for Arsenal from the beginning and now he’s coming here and sitting on the bench – it looks like it was not the best decision. But it’s about the long-term and we already can use him, that’s good, but we want to prepare him also, that’s all. It’s all good from this side at the moment.
Oxlade-Chamberlain could be in line for a start tonight as Liverpool travel to Leicester in the Carabao Cup.
