Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is on the brink of a return to action. Here’s what that could mean for a desperate Liverpool this season.
Jurgen Klopp believes Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will return imminently. He says the player is in ‘normal training’, meaning it’s just a matter of time.
The moment could arrive on Sunday against Fulham – but we’ll have to see on that. What is clear, though, is that he’s nearly back in action.
Klopp is certainly happy about that.
“Ox is an outstanding player, an outstanding player, was always and will always be,” he said, per Sky Sports.
“In training, what Ox did so far you can see his quality immediately. Immediately. He is a difference-maker, you can see that.”
So with the boss excited, let’s have a look at what Oxlade-Chamberlain can bring to Liverpool with his return.
Interesting fit
We’ve written about this one before. Oxlade-Chamberlain can return as a very useful player in a Liverpool side that isn’t quite how he left it.
The Reds are switching formation more often this season. That’s partly out of necessity in an injury crisis and partly to mix things up from last season.
No matter the reason, Oxlade-Chamberlain is a player who suits that kind of thinking. He can play centre-midfield, from either wing, as a no.10 or even wing-back.
That versatility is perfect if you want to have different tactical ideas.
But Liverpool are also more attacking and direct this campaign. They have to be as the defence is crippled. But Oxlade-Chamberlain, again, suits that.
He’s pacey, energetic and direct with his running. If Liverpool want to play attacking football, he’s ideal. As we saw the last time the Reds played that style back in 2017/18.
Oxlade-Chamberlain thrived in the Champions League run as the Reds sought to outscore teams. He can do that again this year.
Reinforcement
As we mentioned, there’s an injury crisis at Liverpool. There are a whole host of players missing right now and it seems no one stays fit for long.
Now, Oxlade-Chamberlain has been a part of that crisis. Arguably the first part, in fact. But his return makes things a lot easier.
He can cover several positions and he’s naturally energetic at a time when some will want to conserve energy.
Really, he’s the type of player the Reds need right now.
Pressure
Squad players aren’t having good seasons this year. We’ve seen Curtis Jones step up and Diogo Jota instantly become a force – but that’s it.
Divock Origi is having a shocker, Takumi Minamino can’t get in the team, and Naby Keita is having the same-old season.
Oxlade-Chamberlain comes in as an alternative to all three. But he also adds pressure to the squad players at Liverpool. Slip up and he’ll take your spot.
That will, hopefully, draw out some intensity from the others. If it does, Liverpool’s squad looks an awful lot deeper – even during an injury crisis.
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