Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain Caught Flouting Team Rule

In the last week, we’ve had news ranging from wild rumor mongering, to the mildly depressing, to the massively depressing.

Now, let’s take a moment to appreciate a nothing story about something completely inconsequential: newboy Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain touching the famed “This is Anfield” sign prior to the Merseyside Derby.

Worse yet? He did it right in front of Jurgen Klopp!

“I’ve told my players not to touch the ‘This Is Anfield’ sign until they win something. It’s a sign of respect” Klopp explained in an interview in 2016.

Ox has now been at the club long enough that he really should know better. For shame.

Of course, Liverpool went on to win the Derby, thereby ensuring that when the first Merseyside Derby of the 2018/19 campaign kicks off, Reds will still be able to sing that Everton haven’t won a trophy since 1995.

Moreover, Oxlade-Chamberlain provided the assist on Virgil van Dijk’s winning header. So maybe, just maybe, Ox could have earned the right to touch the sign in the future.

Or, better yet lads, do something that Philippe Coutinho was never able to accomplish: bring a trophy back to Merseyside, and earn the damned right to touch the sign.