---
title: "Opinion: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has crucial part to play this season"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/opinion-alex-oxlade-chamberlain-gives-liverpool-something-different/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2020-12-29T06:00:00Z"
modified: "2020-12-29T06:00:00Z"
---

# Opinion: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has crucial part to play this season

[Liverpool](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2020/12/28/liverpool-1-1-west-brom-player-ratings/) have been ravaged by injury this season – a scenario which unfortunately rings true for midfielder[Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2020/12/13/alisson-and-oxlade-chamberlain-named-in-liverpool-squad-to-face-fulham/)‘s time at Anfield as well.

Returning from a [knee injury](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11669/12053924/alex-oxlade-chamberlain-injury-concern-for-liverpool-after-he-hurts-knee-during-pre-season) that he suffered during the Reds pre-season training camp in the summer, the ex-Arsenal midfielder has made [two brief appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/leistungsdaten/spieler/143424) either side of Christmas for Jurgen Klopp’s team and has done enough to show why he has a part to play over the rest of the season.

Those two outings came in two very different circumstances as he joined the party during the 7-0 romp at Crystal Palace before, a week later, he was [attempting to salvage a late winner](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1485445/LiveStatistics/England-Premier-League-2020-2021-Liverpool-West-Bromwich-Albion) in what was a [dour second half](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/football/55461324) for Klopp’s side against West Brom on Sunday.

On both occasions, however, the 27-year-old [showcased the attack-minded attributes](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/alex-oxlade-chamberlains-unique-skill-18101062) which distinguish him from the other midfield options in the current Reds squad.

Always looking to drive [forward in possession](https://footballbh.net/2019/06/14/alex-oxlade-chamberlain-liverpool-player-tactical-analysis-statistics/) and take on defenders, Oxlade-Chamberlain has become renowned for [his long-range shooting](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-alex-oxlade-chamberlain-goals-17577042)during his time at Liverpool, with the majority of [his 13 goals](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/alex-oxlade-chamberlain/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/143424) being blockbuster strikes.

For all of the guile and industry in the Reds midfield, it occasionally lacks dynamism and a certain edge of fearlessness – qualities which the [£35m man](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11669/11013632/liverpool-sign-alex-oxlade-chamberlain-from-arsenal) has in abundance. Indeed, Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson [has said](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/357079-jordan-henderson-notre-dame-press-conference) that Oxlade-Chamberlain “gives us something different in this team”.

Having had his time on Merseyside curtailed by [brutal injury blows](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jul/18/alex-oxlade-chamberlain-out-for-season-knee-injury-liverpool), often during his [best runs of form](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/features/391886-goal-of-the-day-ox-s-champions-league-blast-v-man-city), there still seems plenty to offer from the formeer Arsenal star.

### READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT

Sunday’s frankly dismal draw was further evidence of Klopp’s men lacking a crucial cutting edge every so often, and having [the options to provide something different](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2020/dec/11/alex-oxlade-chamberlain-can-recapture-peak-form-says-jurgen-klopp) will be imperative as the season wears on.

Although he isn’t likely to oust the likes of Henderson, Gini Wijnaldum or [Thiago Alcantara as the Reds’ foremost midfield options](https://www.90min.com/posts/analysis-how-thiago-compares-liverpool-midfield-options-gini-wijnaldum-jordan-henderson-naby-keita) if used wisely in rotation with Curtis Jones and the [injury-prone](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/naby-keita/verletzungen/spieler/302215) Naby Keita, Oxlade-Chamberlain could have a major role to play for the Reds in the next five months.

With Newcastle United away on Wednesday, a clash with his former club Southampton next Monday and an FA Cup third round tie with Aston Villa the following Friday, expect to see Oxlade-Chamberlain given a starting role in the not-too-distant future.