Liverpool resigned to losing stalwart, as ‘growing Premier League interest’ is fuelling ‘dilemma’
Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is ‘virtually certain’ to leave, and reports of ‘growing Premier League interest’ are fuelling his ‘dilemma’.
In five years at Liverpool since joining from Arsenal, Oxlade-Chamberlain has played 142 times. While injuries have hindered his Anfield career, he has been a handy player for the most part.
In that time, he has scored 18 goals and 15 assists. He racked up the bulk of his appearances for the Merseysiders during his first and third seasons, after missing the majority of his second through a knee injury.
His third season at Liverpool, 2019/20, saw him play 43 times in all competitions. That is the most appearances he has made in one season since he has played for the club.
Since then, his role has diminished – he played a combined total of 46 games over the next two seasons.
This term, he has yet again been plagued by injuries, and as such has hardly played. The midfielder has featured nine times in all competitions, and only four of those have come from the start.
His contract is up at the end of the season, and it would be unsurprising if he were not kept on.
With that being said, Jurgen Klopp may reportedly be open to keeping him at the club a while longer. That may depend on whether he thinks other midfield targets will be easy to acquire.
Prem interest in Oxlade-Chamberlain
While that represents a chance of him remaining, it looks likely that Oxlade-Chamberlain will be departing. The Daily Mail states he is ‘virtually certain’ to leave Anfield.
The only question over that is when he steps out the door. Indeed, that report suggests he currently faces a ‘dilemma’ over the timing of his exit.
While he would be free to leave in the summer, he could make the decision to go now. It seems there may be ample opportunities for him to do so.
The report states there is ‘growing Premier League interest’ in the midfielder. As such, he might be able to make a move and start to impress immediately.
The report does not name any sides that are keen on him.
Given the midfielder has been offered only four Liverpool starts this season, when having been available for 11 games, the chance to move on now might be one he wants to grab.
Big decision on the cards
There will no doubt be interest in him in the summer. Oxlade-Chamberlain is a 29-year-old who has played 232 Premier League games – he will not be short of options.
He certainly seems to be a player that can have a career in the top flight for a while longer.
However, those options might not be the same as the ones he has now. The Daily Mail references the possibility the market could be ‘flooded’ with a ‘host of players in his position’ free to move on in the summer.
As such, he has a big decision to make over whether he moves now, or waits until then. If Liverpool receive an offer from a decent Premier League side, it would not be a surprise if he were to up sticks immediately.
