How much is Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain really worth?

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Jurgen Klopp has questioned how much Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is worth as the player returns to the first-team setup.

“Two seasons ago, when he got injured, he was in the shape of his life, looking so positive,” he told the Echo. “I’m so happy with how it looks at the moment, but of course we are going to have to see.

“But Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, come on. Fit, if that’s not a new signing, then I don’t know. To buy him, after the impression we got when he played for us, what do we think the price would be to buy that level of player?”

So just what is Oxlade-Chamberlain worth as a ‘new signing’?

There’s an air of uncertainty around him after he barely featured last year. Will he return to his previous form? Will he even be the same player?

But on the plus side, this is his first pre-season at Liverpool. Everything he’s done thus far was without that summer of preparation.

But we know that Oxlade-Chamberlain is a player who ticks several boxes for Liverpool. He’s quick, full of energy and hard work, and capable of playing several positions. There’s no doubt that a fully-fit player slots in very nicely.

Comparing Oxlade-Chamberlain

You could perhaps compare it to the arrival of Gini Wijnaldum in 2016 for £25m – although prices have risen since then.

Wijnaldum was a risk, having just been relegated with Newcastle United. We knew he had talent but his one season in the Premier League was hit and miss – could he perform for Liverpool? He did tick many of the same boxes as Oxlade-Chamberlain, though.

Then there’s Ayoze Perez, who joined Leicester City this summer. We suggested him as a potential Liverpool signing and there are some parallels. Again, he’s a talented attacking player who would be a gamble.

Perez cost £30m – and you’d expect Oxlade-Chamberlain would be worth more, given his experience. Potentially, even more than the £35m Liverpool initially paid.

That’s where the tricky part lies. Considering the injury, he’s probably worth around what Liverpool did pay, such is the uncertainty.

But we know what the player can offer Liverpool and how good a fit he is. If Oxlade-Chamberlain recaptures his form he would certainly be worth far more – perhaps closer to the £62m paid for Naby Keita.

He would be a more sure-fire fit than Keita was, after all.