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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has expressed his enjoyment in taking over his new function up entrance for Liverpool, having netted his first aim of pre-season in opposition to Hertha Berlin.
With Roberto Firmino absent and Diogo Jota again late after the Euros, Jurgen Klopp has known as upon Oxlade-Chamberlain as an auxiliary No. 9 this summer season.
Thursday noticed him exchange Takumi Minamino at half-time as Liverpool performed out a 4-3 pleasant defeat to Hertha Berlin, with the pair each getting on the scoresheet in a stable exercise in Austria.
It stays to be seen the place Oxlade-Chamberlain figures in Klopp’s plans for the central attacking function for the marketing campaign correct, however there have been indicators each he and Minamino can fill in when required.
Final season noticed a giant drop-off in aim contribution past Firmino (9), Jota (13), Sadio Mane (16) and Mo Salah (31), with Minamino stage with Curtis Jones (each 4) in fifth regardless of becoming a member of Southampton on mortgage mid-season.
Liverpool’s high 5 scorers, 2019/20 and 2020/21
2019/20
2020/21
Liverpool clearly missed the specter of Oxlade-Chamberlain, who netted eight instances in 2019/20 however scored solely as soon as final time period, and talking to LFCTV after the defeat to Hertha, the 27-year-old outlined his want to chip in once more.
“It’s clearly a brand new little function up there, which I clearly get pleasure from. It’s related in methods to how the extra superior midfielder performs within the group,” he mentioned.
“[It’s] a bit bit completely different defensively, which I’m making an attempt to get used to as nicely as a result of I feel Bobby does it higher than anybody in world soccer. It’s not straightforward to observe him doing that.
“However in possession it’s good, you’ll be able to decide up good positions and get on the ball.
“So I’m having fun with it, and if I do play extra typically in that place I feel my important factor is to contribute with targets.
“I really feel like we create quite a bit in and round that space, even after I play in midfield in that place, a bit bit superior, I really feel like I can rating targets.
“That’s one thing that I undoubtedly wish to convey to the group if I play there.”
The addition of Jota has given Liverpool one other dependable aim menace in assault, however Klopp shall be relying on different gamers outdoors of the established entrance 4 to search out the again of the web too.
Minamino and Jones needs to be choices, however with Gini Wijnaldum having left and Divock Origi experiencing a downturn in fortunes, Oxlade-Chamberlain could possibly be a helpful supply.
That is notably so if he stays an possibility up entrance, along with his pre-season apprenticeship suggesting he shall be thought of as a No. 9 for the brand new marketing campaign alongside along with his extra acquainted duties out broad and in midfield.
If Oxlade-Chamberlain can keep match and supply near the eight-goal return he managed in 2019/20, Liverpool may have one other edge within the last third.
It stays a giant if, in fact, however the early indicators are promising for Liverpool’s No. 15.
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