This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could have a very important role for Liverpool this season, if the words of Pepijn Lijnders are to be believed.
What did he say?
The Reds’ midfielder has made a steady comeback from his ACL injury which he sustained in April 2018, but he has already shown glimpses of the form he was in shortly before his injury.
His importance for Klopp was growing with key goals against Manchester City in both the league and the Champions League, and he also managed eight assists – something the German is lacking from his current midfield three, with a combined total of two assists managed by Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has been given a chance to start on occasion this term, but really impressed against Genk last week with two goals, the second of which was top drawer, and Lijnders acknowledged that the attacking aspect to his play offers the team something different.
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As reported by the Mirror, he said: “Ox of course is a very sad story, with the injury I mean.
“But everyone knows he was very important for us just before the injury – he is really important for us because he gives a completely different dynamic to create.
“We want to give him time and we know it will come if he keeps his aggression offensively and defensively. We saw already glimpses, we saw already really good phases and he said it himself already he wants to do it now (consistently) – that will be the next step.”
His comments suggest the 26-year-old will get his chance to impress at some point, and if he continues his goalscoring form then the likes of Wijnaldum and Henderson could find their place in the starting line-up under significant pressure.
Squad management
Some Liverpool fans are keen to see the former Arsenal man back playing regularly, but Klopp has managed his return very well, and the team is still benefiting from his part-time contribution.
The German has granted him opportunities without making the player exert himself too much, and as a result has mitigated the risk of his injury recurring.
That has allowed him to be fresh for the games he has been selected for, and since the Reds are competing on a number of fronts this term, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s importance cannot be underestimated.
Should he continue to impress in the EFL Cup and the Champions League then he will establish himself in Klopp’s plans, and that means he could prove crucial later in the season.
The Reds lacked depth in their midfield last year, relying on the aforementioned favoured three to start the majority of their games, whilst James Milner has seen his game time reduced since then.
Considering that and the fact that Lijnders is impressed with Oxlade-Chamberlain’s attacking attributes, it is likely he will be significant this term.
His attacking intent could allow him to make a difference from the bench, too. Against Man United his introduction coincided with an increase of the intensity, and it wasn’t surprising when they found the equaliser, with the midfielder almost grabbing the winner also.
