English Premier League: Chamberlain puts in a solid Reds performance for Liverpool
At the price of £35 million pounds and a less than convincing start to life at Anfield, many started doubting the inclusion of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in Klopp’s plans after making the move over to Merseyside.
The short of Alex’s story reads along the lines … Wenger lost the player due to the lack of game time he was offered at the Emirates – that, plus the player expressed his unhappiness of not getting a chance at playing in the centre of the Gunners outfit.
Being played at right-wing back for Wenger’s underperforming team and being part of a club not showing any sort of life, all added to the players decision for wanting to leave. The final straw, wanting to work under the Reds’ manager, Jurgen Klopp convinced the vibrant player to make the switch.
The midfielder was showing inconsistent form during his final spell at Arsenal and was a major doubt coming into the Anfield side. As it was firmly said by the Liverpool manager, Chamberlain will come in as a worthy squad player, who can develop well under him and with the group of young players at the club.
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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s stats in West Ham victory:
Stat | Chamberlain |
| Player Rating | 7.5 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assist | 0 |
| Total passes | 34 |
| Passes complete | 30 |
| Passing Accuracy | 70% |
| Total shots | 3 |
| Shots on target | 2 |
It didn’t help much as the player continued to be on the receiving end of two of the Reds worst performances this season. Not much the midfielder could do as both Man City and Spurs were in control of their meetings against his newfound team.
Yet when a bit of time was given to adapt to Klopp’s style of play, and a combined number of injuries to the Reds squad happening around the pitch. The German manager was forced to use the Englishman in his game plan a lot more than expected.
After these few cameos when coming off from the bench, Chamberlain started to improve and show better form. It helped the manager identify what exactly needs to be done for his game to improve.
Following the improvement the manager thought it was best suited for the team and the player, and deployed the Englishman in his more natural role, on the side of the pitch. Until becoming familiar with the system and tactics, maybe then he could move to the middle where he wants to be.
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Alex’s run out against West Ham in Klopp’s old school 4-4-2 formation:
The versatile Red was deployed in a new system when they travelled over to the London stadium. This is where he gave the impression, he finally could be finding his feet.
Finally, getting his first start in Premier League match for the Anfield side. Chamberlain formed part of a midfield that consisted of Can, Wijnaldum and Mane. There were small spells where the LFC midfielder was bullied on the pitch. Other than that, Ox and his teammates owned the night.
West Ham was all over the show and Liverpool was all over them. Ox made good on his full debut and scored a goal which helped the Reds cruise to a fantastic victory away from home.
The celebration said it all, as he leaped into the air and fist pumped joyously, knowing he finally added value to his transfer fee of £35 million. A jump of release, not just a jump for joy.
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This was a solid showing by a player facing doubt. Hopefully for him it’s the first of many and his able to makes himself a regular in the starting eleven. It would be a major achievement if he was to keep out any of the other first team players in the Liverpool squad.
This game proved Liverpool have fixed a small part of their worrying depth. If he and all the others were to repeat this level of football and stay fit? Klopp has the headache of whom to play, rather than who’s out injured what can he do now.