An insight into Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp’s surprise plans for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for the season ahead has been forthcoming on Saturday.
Chamberlain struggling
‘The Ox’ is of course fresh off the back of another difficult campaign at Anfield.
After being forced to sit out the opening half of the term due to a knee injury picked up in pre-season, midfielder Chamberlain eventually marked his return to the pitch in a Premier League meeting with Crystal Palace late in December.
Amid a combination of competition for places, and lengthy efforts to recover full fitness, though, the 27-year-old ultimately went on to garner just two league starts over the remainder of the campaign.
DOHA, QATAR – DECEMBER 21: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Liverpool walks in the field after the FIFA Club World Cup Final match between Liverpool FC and CR Flamengo at Khalifa International Stadium on December 21, 2019 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Such woes mean that, since first making the move to Merseyside in the summer of 2017, Chamberlain has never once managed more than 17 Premier League starts in a season.
Firmino’s understudy?
With Georginio Wijnaldum having departed for Paris Saint-Germain, and a full pre-season under his belt, though, Liverpool’s out-of-favour midfielder will no doubt be hopeful of reestablishing himself as a key option under Jurgen Klopp over the season ahead.
And, as outlined above, this weekend, an insight into the plans of the Reds boss when it comes to Chamberlain’s role has been forthcoming.
The news, though, will likely come as something of a surprise to the club’s fanbase.
As per a mounting number of sources online, the Ox is being prepped to test his talents as a backup option to Roberto Firmino in 2021/22.
Chamberlain has been utilised in a central striker role across pre-season to date, with early indications suggesting that Jurgen Klopp has been impressed with what he has seen.
In turn, with Divock Origi continuing to be heavily linked with an exit, Chamberlain looks set to be transformed into an unorthodox no.9 at Anfield over the months ahead.
🥇· Liverpool are currently trying to turn Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain into a false nine to be a backup for Roberto Firmino.
Source: @dmlynch pic.twitter.com/9imXRKc9Ai
— LFC Transfer Room (@LFCTransferRoom) July 31, 2021
“His speed makes him quick enough to pose a threat in behind and he has always come across as suitable as a forward.”#LFC https://t.co/GxR9xgRLbv
— Liverpool FC News (@LivEchoLFC) July 30, 2021
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