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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…
Leon Osman has praised the “brilliant” Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and believes he is perfect for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool team.
What did he say?
Oxlade-Chamberlain made a lightning start when he made the switch from Arsenal in the summer of 2017, scoring two stunning goals against Manchester City in the league and Champions League, the latter of which was vital in the Reds making the final in 2018.
The transition into the middle seems to have allowed the former Gunner to flourish. His record of three goals and seven assists in 32 Premier League matches in 2017/18 is his best-ever return in a single year, which is why his ACL injury came as such a blow.
However, he is slowly but surely making a return from that setback and Osman believes he could be a valuable asset to the Reds.
Speaking to Sky Sports [25/09, 11:09 a.m.], as reported by Live 4 Liverpool, he said: “I think he is a brilliant player. When he made the move from Arsenal, a lot of people questioned it. Was he good enough? Could he play in midfield? Could he get used to the style of play at Liverpool?
“But he’s adapted so quickly to the energetic style that Jurgen Klopp’s men have then added that quality to his game from a more central position.”
Making a difference
The positive for the 26-year-old, and a factor which means he could soon return to the side, is the fact that he offers Klopp something different to the other midfielders in the squad.
Liverpool’s regular triumvirate of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum lack the pace of Oxlade-Chamberlain, and his dribbling ability can be key to moving his side up the pitch.
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He has averaged 1.8 successful dribbles so far this season, which shows he still has that quality despite not being fully match fit, suggesting there could be even more to come.
Such a prospect will likely be exciting for Klopp, and if the midfielder manages to hit the heights he reached in 2017/18 then reports linking Liverpool with a move for the likes of Kai Havertz and Fabian Ruiz could come to an end.
