Ox showing Liverpool what they’ve missed

This time two years ago, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was finding form after a somewhat surprising move to Liverpool. Oxlade-Chamberlain had been a bit of a ‘Mr Fix-it’ at Arsenal, one week playing wide right, next as a left wing-back, the next in central midfield. Having entered the final year of his contract, the England player had clearly had enough and rejected Chelsea to work under Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
The Ox described the deal as feeling “right” for his “ongoing development” but competition for places raised eyebrows and he initially struggled to adapt to Klopp’s relentless methods.
Things soon brightened up and the 26-year-old eventually found himself a spot in midfield alongside Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum. The trio provided pace, guile and graft, guiding the team to the last four of the Champions League.
However, in the opening leg of the semi-final against Roma, Oxlade-Chamberlain made a tackle on Aleksandar Kolarov and came out of the collision significantly worse off.
While he tried to play on, the Portsmouth-born star had damaged his cruciate and medial ligaments, plus the tendons to his hamstring. While it was initially hoped he would be able to make a swift comeback, a full knee reconstruction was required.
It not only ruled him out of the 3-1 2018 Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid and 2018 World Cup, but also much of last season. After a couple of delays, he finally returned last April, making cameo appearances in wins over Huddersfield and Wolves before penning a new deal in August.
While the former Southampton man made the bench for June’s 2-0 Champions League final success against Tottenham, he failed to get on in Madrid, with the trio of Henderson, Wijnaldum and Fabinho controlling things.
These three are Klopp’s preferred combination in the engine room and while James Milner remains a steady presence when called on, the Ox provides something different.
After a year out, it could take just as long for the midfielder to get back to full fitness although he is making a good fist of it.
This season, Oxlade-Chamberlain has made 13 appearances in all competitions, eight of which have been starts. He also played for England in the 4-0 September win over Bulgaria and Euro 2020 has to be a goal.
An impact role might be the best he can hope for in the summer and it looks like that’s what he will provide at Anfield.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has come off the bench to turn the game in both the 1-0 win at Sheffield United and 2-1 success away to Aston Villa, both results that have aided the Reds in staying top of the table.
While Henderson, Wijnaldum and Fabinho all have qualities that complement each other, none of them possesses the pace and drive of their team-mate.
The Ox has also added goals, netting four in his last four outings, with his effort in the 5-5 penalty shoot-out success over Arsenal particularly spectacular, while he also netted on Tuesday in the 2-1 win against Racing Genk.
This season in the Premier League, the former Gunner has managed 151 passes at an average of 21.57 per match and has been successful with 11 accurate long balls.
That shows his range of distribution has been sharp but it is a quality not measured by the Premier League’s statisticians that could make him so valuable.
The ability for a central midfielder to go past players is a rare quality and will benefit Liverpool as they look to break down tiring defences.
With the Ox expected to get fitter all the time, using him wisely as the club chase success at both home and abroad could define the Reds’ season.