Jurgen Klopp was today asked about Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s full debut during his pre-match presser ahead of Saturday’s Leicester City clash.
The midfielder started against the same opposition on Tuesday night, but failed to live up to his £35m price-tag and has been unfairly vilified since, following the 2-0 defeat and Carabao Cup exit.
“That’s the world of football,” Klopp told the Echo. “It’s quite quick (criticism). He had a few good situations and a few unlucky situations. He did really well in the moments and he is trying to adapt to the style of play…
“I can imagine (the criticism is bad)… He didn’t make the best game in his life, so people ask.. but I’m not in doubt.
“He had some unlucky situations & little problem with his calf. I’m not in doubt about his quality.”
Klopp’s words will be soothing for the 24-year-old, whose move to Liverpool has unfortunately coincided with our drop in form.
In four matches, Oxlade-Chamberlain has yet to be on the winning side and we don’t expect he’ll start against the Foxes on Saturday.
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In fact, now we’ve been knocked out of the League Cup, he’ll have to seriously impress from the bench if he’s to dislodge one of the current starters.
At full strength, there’s no way he gets in the front-three ahead of Sadio Mane or Mo Salah, so he’s likely to find himself competing with Emre Can, Gini Wijnaldum, Coutinho and Adam Lallana for the two no.8 spots either side of our holding midfielder.