Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: “No Better Feeling” Than Scoring in Front of the Kop

We’ve been witnessing the great return of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Missing out on last season while recovering from his ACL injury, the Ox has looked mighty good when called on this term.

He hasn’t been a regular in Jürgen Klopp’s squad so far but his performances are encouraging for the player’s long term effectiveness at Liverpool.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has scored five goals for the club. His outside of the foot curler against Genk is a memorable moment in the Champions League group stage.

While Ox would agree that his second-half strike in Belgium was audacious, for the Portsmouth native, it still pales in comparison to goals at Anfield against Manchester City and Arsenal.

“My second goal in Genk was different,” said Oxlade-Chamberlain. “It’s a goal I can appreciate a lot more because of the skill of it.

”The technique that I tried doesn’t come off all the time, but for me the goals I scored against Man City and Arsenal in front of the Kop are my favourites.

“The intensity of smashing one in, in front of the Kop, there’s no better feeling. The feeling I got instantly off the back of the Arsenal goal—for me, that’s what I live for.”

The goal against Genk:

The Arsenal goal he’s talking about is from Liverpool’s Carabao Cup match against the Gunners. Oxlade-Chamberlain struck a sweet ball from outside the box. Anfield went wild. I went wild after rewatching it.

The Man City goal he mentioned is from two seasons ago, well before his injury, when he beat Ederson with a screamer.

“I used to watch Stevie Gerrard smash them in, in front of the Kop, and imagine the feeling that would give me” Oxlade-Chamberlain said. “Goals like that give me a buzz like nothing else.

“The Genk goal was a bit like, ‘Oh, it’s gone in.’ It caught me a bit by surprise that I tried it and it actually went in!

“Afterwards I’ve probably appreciated it a lot more, but when I watch back the Man City goals and the Arsenal goal, I get goose bumps. They’re the ones I enjoy scoring more.”

Music to ours ears. AOC’s next opportunity to score a timeless classic is this weekend against Manchester United.