Klopp: Why I signed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (and have wanted to for 3 years!)

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Jurgen Klopp is over the moon Liverpool have officially secured Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

The Englishman was unveiled today after a £35m fee was agreed with Arsenal last night, and a medical passed at St. George’s Park.

The Ox will join up with his new teammates next week after the international fixtures, but will know many of them well – including Jordan Henderson, Adam Lallana, Nathaniel Clyne and Daniel Sturridge – from the England setup.

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Klopp’s actually been following the 24-year-old ever since 2014, when he first watched him live in a Champions League tie between Borussia Dortmund and Arsenal.

So impressed was Liverpool’s manager, he’s been after him the midfielder ever since.

The manager told Liverpoolfc.com: “I am really, really happy we have got Alex signed. Since the last game I have been waiting and hoping we could make this transfer – and when I got the news he was ours it was fantastic.

“I remember the first time I saw him play live – it was at Dortmund in 2014 and he came on as a sub that day and made a big impact. He stood out immediately because of his pace and skills and his attitude in such a big game for a young player; I remember him chasing back to make a brilliant challenge on Mkhitaryan in the box to save a certain goal.

“We won that game but lost the return match at Arsenal when he started and played well, I think he hit the post. Since then I have followed him and when I heard it may be possible to sign him I didn’t need to think twice.

“I hear a lot of talk about positions but let’s talk about the player; he is someone with really good abilities who always gives everything for his team. A player that is positive and willing to take risks to try and make positive things happen.

“He may still be young but he has a lot of experience in the Premier League, Champions League and for his country. Already he is a very, very good player and I think he has the mentality and desire to get even better – and that excites me.

“This is someone making a tough decision to leave one great club and come to another great club and I think he had many options, so to get him means I am delighted.

“He didn’t make an easy decision but I think he made a great one to go on this journey with this squad of talented boys and our great supporters. I welcome him to the Liverpool family.”

Not only did Oxlade-Chamberlain agree to join Liverpool, but he turned down Arsenal and Chelsea, who were both offering much more money – which makes the coup even more impressive.

Klopp is the perfect manager to maximise Oxlade-Chamberlain’s abilities. He’ll know exactly how to get the best out of him and we cannot wait to see it come into fruition.

Let’s have faith in the boss. The fact he’s so excited means we should be too.

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