LIVE
...

Follow us on

Soccer News

‘Everybody expected’: Klopp says £30m Arsenal player has bounced back

Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Follow us on Google Discover

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has praised Arsenal attacking midfielder Martin Odegaard on the club’s official website ahead of the Premier League game at the Emirates Stadium, and believes that the Gunners star has recovered from his struggles at Real Madrid.

Klopp has outlined how he wanted to sign Norway international attacking midfielder Odegaard before he moved to Madrid.

The Liverpool boss has noted that the 23-year-old failed to make a massive impact at Madrid, but he is happy to see the youngster back in form and playing well for Arsenal.

Klopp made the comments about the £30 million playmaker (Sky Sports) ahead of the Premier League game between Arsenal and Liverpool at the Emirates Stadium in North London on Sunday.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp on Arsenal star Martin Odegaard

The Liverpool boss said: “Martin Odegaard, I spoke to him when he was 15 from Norway when the whole world wanted him and he decided for Real Madrid.

“I remember as it would have been yesterday that we sat on a table with his dad and we were all so excited.

odegaard arsenal xhaka
Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images

“Then came a few difficult years, which is normal when you are that much in the spotlight.

“So, he became the player everybody expected him to be that time.”

Back in form

Martin Odegaard is only 23 now, and we think that there is more to come from the Arsenal playmaker.

The former Madrid player is the creator-in-chief at Arsenal, and he will be a big figure for the Gunners against Liverpool this weekend.

The 23-year-old has scored three goals in seven Premier League appearances for Mikel Arteta’s side so far this season.

Last season, Odegaard scored seven goals and provided four assists in 32 league starts for Arsenal.