Jürgen: Oxlade-Chamberlain's potential is unbelievable
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's display during Liverpool's 4-0 win over AFC Bournemouth caught Jürgen Klopp's eye - and the boss believes there is plenty more to come from a player in which he sees 'unbelievable' potential.
England international Oxlade-Chamberlain provided quality and energy throughout at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday, registering an assist for Mohamed Salah’s 20th goal of the season and striking the post late on after creating a chance for himself out of nothing.
The 24-year-old has now made 20 appearances for Liverpool following his summer transfer from Arsenal, and Klopp has challenged him to go on and develop further after his latest impressive performance.
“He is on a very good way. I like it, but he has so much potential it’s unbelievable, what he still not shows,” the manager told Liverpoolfc.com.
“It’s only just the beginning and I really like it, I really like it. He’s like a wonderful package, I can only say.
“Hopefully he stays fit, that’s the most important thing. He can be much more decisive in a few moments. [He’s sometimes a] little bit too much of a midfielder instead of a striker - there are a lot of things he can improve, but I’m really happy about the status quo.”
A closer look at Oxlade-Chamberlain's display versus the Cherries
Oxlade-Chamberlain came into the Reds’ starting line-up at Bournemouth as one of four changes made by Klopp, who continued his policy of making several tweaks to his team during the season’s busiest period.
Successive home draws with Everton and West Bromwich Albion prior to the comprehensive win on the south coast saw his decision to do so questioned in some quarters.
The boss, though, insisted he sees no risk in rotating because he has complete trust in every member of his squad.
Klopp on AOC, rotation and Arsenal
Klopp continued: “We don’t really think a lot about it. It’s more that you see the last game and you see the other guys in training - because the guys who didn’t play train much more. And if they show up in these moments you think ‘Oh, that’s cool’.
“That’s why we do it. We trust the full squad, that’s the first and maybe most important thing. I said it and I have no problem: I make the decision so I get the criticism for the decision. I don’t want people to say ‘Wow, fantastic rotation!’ because I don’t need that. I do what I think is right.
“That cannot work all the time unfortunately, but it should work pretty often. So far, it’s OK. We had a really fantastic period, a little interrupted by two results and one performance; I really liked the Everton performance, not too much the West Brom one.
“Now this was not too bad. But the next game is waiting, Arsenal away. That’s not a children’s birthday [party] - that will be really hard but should be hard for both teams. There is something possible for us.”