Jurgen Klopp might start 29-year-old Alex Oxlade Chamberlain against Tottenham Hotspurs this weekend.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain may start for Liverpool this Sunday against Tottenham, according to Jurgen Klopp.
Due to a hamstring injury sustained in the summer, Oxlade-Chamberlain has only played 14 minutes of football so far this year. However, after yesterday night’s victory over Napoli, Klopp stated through liverpoolfc.com that the 29-year-old is now “ready” to play.
According to the gaffer, Curtis played really well; he did really well. We have Fabio [Carvalho], who may be able to play there and in the league. Now that [Alex] Oxlade-Chamberlain is also prepared for the league, we have a few players who can play there.
We will see what he does against Tottenham, but no decisions have been taken. Talking about the formation he said, this system was never ruled out; we only needed to make a small adjustment to give ourselves a fresh start and feel the defensive duties in a different way. Sometimes it works like that.
We had successful matches under the other system, particularly in the Champions League. There we excelled in a 4-4-2, for instance. We played and won using different methods. And that is the only thing that has gone well so far this season. Not frequently enough, but at least twice.
Klopp may have to give Oxlade Chamberlain his first start of the season
Last night, Liverpool’s lineup was a little erratic as usual. However, it felt like Curtis Jones was playing more on the left flank.
In the new-look 4-4-2, he might be perfect for this role. He specifically showed last night why that is the case. Although the 21-year-old struggled to get going a little, he grew into the game and was one of its more influential players.
The position is still very much up for grabs at Liverpool, though, in the end. The Reds don’t currently have their first or second choice available due to the injuries to Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota.
Oxlade-Chamberlain might thus think he has a chance to force his way into the position. The position, which is in between a midfielder and a winger, might potentially be perfect for the former Arsenal player.
If given the chance, it will undoubtedly be intriguing to see what he does with it.
Having said that, playing Ox against the Spurs would be risky. This game is crucial for Liverpool. And starting a player who has played so little would unnerve many supporters.
In retrospect, it was a mistake to leave Oxlade-Chamberlain out of the team for this year’s Group Stage. The best time to stretch his legs would have been last night.
Jones, though, was the one who profited. We’ll have to wait and see if that increases or decreases either player’s likelihood of starting at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
