Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has suggested on the club’s official website that reported West Ham United and Southampton target Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will not leave this summer.
West Ham and Southampton interest
Both West Ham and Southampton have been linked with Liverpool midfielder Oxlade-Chamberlain.
The Express reported last month that the Hammers are interested in signing the former Arsenal midfielder this summer.
West Ham manager David Moyes is reportedly considering making a loan bid for the the 27-year-old.
TalkSPORT claimed this month that Southampton want to bring Oxlade-Chamberlain back to St. Mary’s Stadium.
Jurgen Klopp comments
Liverpool boss Klopp spoke highly of Oxlade-Chamberlain last night after the pre-season friendly against Osasuna.
The German boss said that he hopes that the midfielder stays fit throughout the season, thereby suggesting that he does not want him to leave.
Klopp told Liverpool’s official website: “Look, I know Ox for so long now it was not necessary to talk. It was clear what the thing is – he needed a full pre-season. [The same] for plenty of players. For Taki it was the first pre-season with us properly; it was the first pre-season for a long time with Ox. It helps for all of them who were part of all the sessions, that helps and you can then get the games.
“I think Ox played in six pre-season games, was part of it, Taki probably as well. You can see then how much it means. The same for yesterday when you think about Naby, it’s the same for him – that it’s very important. That’s what you need and now we have a proper situation and with how it looked tonight, come on, make the line-up for Norwich. Who do you want to leave out after these two games?
“That’s how it should be, the boys had to put pressure on themselves with the performances they put on the pitch and that’s what you wish for in an ideal world. Hopefully they can all stay fit and they can put for the whole season pressure on each other in a very positive way – who wants to play has to play like we did today or in yesterday in moments.”
Liverpool stay
Oxlade-Chamberlain has had injury problems at Liverpool and has not really been able to make a huge impact.
The former Southampton midfielder made two starts and 11 substitute appearances in the Premier League, and played 27 minutes in the Champions League last season.
However, the Englishman is 27 and is, theoretically, at the top of his game now.
Liverpool will be aiming to reclaim the Premier League title this season, and Oxlade-Chamberlain could play a big role in that quest.
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