Klopp Singles Out “Dynamite” Oxlade-Chamberlain for Praise

It could be Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s moment to shine today when Liverpool take on Maribor at Anfield in the Champions League. At least going by Jürgen Klopp’s matchday programme notes, where he singles out the former Arsenal man for praise ahead of kickoff.

“I do want to specifically mention Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain,” notes the Liverpool manager. “He has shown his class each and every time he has had the opportunity on the pitch and the weekend was another example of this. He is like dynamite when he comes on.

“Aggressive in the most positive way. Front foot always. Looking to attack and create. These performances come because of how good his attitude is in training at Melwood. He has the highest quality in everything he does; sometimes I think he is the last to realise this.”

Of course, there have been a few times in recent weeks—with Liverpool often struggling and Oxlade-Chamberlain looking bright in his cameos—where people have said the same. And so far, for the most part, it just hasn’t happened yet for the 24-year-old at Anfield.

Still, the bosses’ words, another strong cameo on the weekend, and the goal he scored in Liverpool’s previous Champions League match against Maribor could all add up to a start—just his second for his new club, with the other having been in the League Cup against Leicester.

“I am sure he is greedy for more starting selections and that will come,” Klopp added. “He is very much in the infancy of his Liverpool life, but the world doesn’t always allow for patience. He is doing everything right and because of this I know he will be a big success for us.”