Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain knows he must deliver improved performances if he is to become a regular for Liverpool this season. After missing all but 20 minutes of last season through injury, England international Oxlade-Chamberlain has had to bide his time at Liverpool this term, making just his sixth start of the campaign during Wednesday’s remarkable 5-5 draw with Arsenal in the Carabao Cup – a match the Reds ultimately won 5-4 on penalties.
The Ox has certainly made an impact in the games he has started of late, as he netted during Wednesday’s topsy-turvy match, as well as grabbing a brace during last week’s Champions League triumph over Belgian champions Genk.
However, the 26-year-old was not too impressed with his overall performance against former club Arsenal and he feels he will have to improve if he is to force his way into Jurgen Klopp’s midfield on a regular basis. “Quality-wise, I am not too happy with my performance to be honest,” Oxlade-Chamberlain told reporters. “I wasn’t great on the ball and not near my own personal level of where I want to be. I put in a good shift and run a lot. “I watch the boys of a weekend and I know what it is about here. You have got to be at a really high physical level to go and put in a performance like that.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain has only started twice in the Premier League this season, the last of which came over a month ago, but he does provide a goalscoring option from the middle of the park that perhaps the likes of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson are less likely to offer.
The former Southampton youngster singled Brazil international Fabinho out for particular praise on Wednesday, although he is hopeful of a earning a regular first-team chance in the Premier League over the coming weeks. “Fab (Fabinho) did really well at the weekend so I need to keep pushing myself and maybe I will get a chance,” the midfielder added.
The Ox will be hoping to retain his place in Liverpool’s starting XI for Saturday’s Premier League trip to Aston Villa.
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