Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has had a change of tune on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s best position.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has told The Echo that he is only currently considering Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for a place on the wing.
The England international joined Liverpool from Arsenal this summer in the hope of establishing himself as a central midfielder.
He turned down a move to Chelsea over fears that he would be used at wing-back, according to BBC Sport.
However, Klopp has revealed that Oxlade-Chamberlain is being prepared for a role out wide with the Reds.
Klopp is quoted by The Echo as saying: “At the moment his best position is more the wing than the No 8. Without training, playing in the middle of the park doesn’t make sense.
“I was not only happy about his offensive situations (against Manchester United), I also liked the way he reacted after we lost the ball.
“At this moment he is training only on the wing so it is clear. It can never be without training as an eight first. It wouldn’t be good for him, it wouldn’t be good for us.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain has mostly been used as a substitute for Liverpool, with his only start coming in the Carabao Cup defeat to Leicester City.
Klopp’s revelation suggests that the 24-year-old could be set for a run in the team in place of the injured Sadio Mane, who The Telegraph report is out for six weeks with a hamstring injury.
Liverpool’s central areas are well stocked with Jordan Henderson, Emre Can, Georginio Wijnaldum, James Milner, Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho, so a spot on the wing appears to be Oxlade-Chamberlain’s best chance of breaking through at Anfield.
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