Oxlade-Chamberlain admits ‘horrible’ Liverpool team-mate is joker

Alex-Oxlade-Chamberlain-Liverpool

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain confessed he was surprised by team-mate Andy Robertson’s jovial character when arriving at Liverpool.

The pair both moved to Anfield in the summer of 2017, with Oxlade-Chamberlain leaving Arsenal after seven seasons. Robertson joined from Hull City and has gone from strength to strength in the left-back role.

Oxlade-Chamberlain’s time at the Reds has been affected by injury but he did make 30 top-flight appearances last season. That was during the title-winning campaign and he is now once again out of action with a knee injury.

Talking of Robertson’s personality away from the pitch, the winger feels he is not how people perceive. Asked who the ‘joker’ was at Liverpool on Sky Sport’s Soccer AM, Oxlade-Chamberlain replied: “Andy Robertson, without a shadow of a doubt.”

And the England international has lifted the lid on how his colleague behaves away from the action.

“He’s not what I expected either, from playing against him at Hull,” he added. “I’m the type of player, on the pitch, mid-game, I can give the opposition a bit, but in a friendly, jokey way.

“And I was always on the right wing against Robbo, he never really gave me anything. He’s a bit horrible on the pitch.

“I’ve turned up to Liverpool and the guy doesn’t shut up, honestly. He comes in the dressing room, physio room, canteen, you hear him before you see him guaranteed. But he’s a great lad and definitely the joker.”

Robertson fitness vital to Reds cause

While he may enjoy a laugh off the pitch, Robertson’s importance to the team cannot be understated. With Virgil van Dijk out for possibly the entire campaign, Klopp needs experience and cool heads at the back.

There is no timescale for Joe Gomez’s return following surgery and so it is all hands to the pump.

Liverpool’s rearguard have been solid despite the injury woes, and a 1-1 draw with Manchester City was encouraging. It left the champions third in the Premier League standings, just one point behind table-topping Leicester.

The Foxes will be in town when domestic action resumes as former Reds boss Brendan Rodgers returns to Anfield. It will be a test of both side’s credentials although most pundits feel Leicester’s challenge will not last the course.

Nevertheless, they are in great form and it will be another hurdle for Robertson and his team-mates to overcome.

Liverpool face Leicester on November 21 before hosting Atalanta in the Champions League four days later.

 

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