The hunt for the next great winger for Liverpool takes a turn towards London as the Reds are linked with an English player from the Gunners. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain who could be the man that solves Klopp’s winger problems.
The issue arises with Jurgen Klopp not having any quality out wide, his predecessor Brendan Rodgers did not help the cause by signing Christian Benteke and then loaning out Lazar Markovic for the entire season to Fenerbahce.
There is some good news that Lazar will have a run in the team next season but they do have another hole to fill on the other side, even though Jordon Ibe could be the player for the future, he isn’t the player for the present as his development continues under Klopp.
The Ox a Red?
For all his ability and pace, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain does not get enough starts to show just what he is capable of doing and well how much he has grown at Arsenal. The England international has featured in around 30 games for Arsenal in all competitions but 15 of them have been substitute appearances, certainly not good for a player who is trying to make a name for himself.
The Premier League is a tough place to play in and Alex has shown that he is capable of getting more things right than wrong. There is a question about his crossing ability as he likes to play more as a winger who cuts in and tries to run at defenders.
This would work with Liverpool’s style of play, especially with the pace the Ox has in him to burn. The 22-year-old could play on either wing and a link up with players such as Roberto Firmino, Phillipe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge could just be the right move for him and Liverpool.
The Arsenal speedster has scored just twice all season for the Gunners but that could also be due to the reduced playing time he has gotten. Alex though does have a few chinks in the armour, his decision making is still questionable and who knows if Jurgen Klopp could fix that under his leadership.
Liverpool have been searching for a winger for a long time and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain does fit the bill. He is a young player who can do the right things but crossing is not his forte, which more than signals the end of Christian Benteke at the club next season.
Signing him from Arsenal would be a mammoth task since the relationship between the two clubs has not been the best due to the Luis Suarez bid from Arsenal a few years ago. The right bid could well land Alex at Liverpool and his direct approach could be the answer for Liverpool.