Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain admits he is still adjusting to life at Liverpool, but is confident of thriving when called upon by Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool’s 7-0 annihilation of Maribor on Tuesday night saw plenty of positives, with Roberto Firmino getting a couple of much-needed goals and the Reds keeping a second clean sheet in four days.
Perhaps the most pleasing aspect of the victory was Oxlade-Chamberlain’s second-half cameo, which saw him score his first goal for his new club.
The 24-year-old took his chance coolly after being fed by Daniel Sturridge, and his performance was as lively as the one against Man United on Saturday.
It has been a hard beginning to life at Anfield for the England international, with just one start to his name, but there are definite signs that things are improving.
He admits that he is still getting used to Klopp’s playing style, but will give his best every time he takes to the field.
“It’s a competitive team that I’ve come in to”, Oxlade-Chamberlain told BT Sport.
“We’re in an important part of the season where we want to get off to a good start and we’ve got a few results that haven’t gone our way.
“Everyone’s fighting for their place and I’m just ready for when I get the opportunity.
“I need to keep developing and learning a new style of play here and get used to that and then whenever I get my opportunities, try to do as well as I can.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain also spoke about the win over Maribor—just his second victory for Liverpool—saying an improved ruthlessness in front of goal was key to the result.
“We were more clinical today, putting away all our chances, or near enough all of them,” he added.
“Every week it feels like we’ve got a lot of goals in us and it’s just not clicking right at the final moment.
“I think we create a lot of opportunities and I hear people saying the stats are always Liverpool have 20 shots a game.
“So if we keep doing those things—that’s the important thing, that we keep creating chances and keep trying and hopefully it’ll come off for us and tonight they did.”
There has been so much negativity surrounding Oxlade-Chamberlain, with his form undeniably poor for both club and country.
He arrived lacking in confidence, though, and once he properly settles in to life on Merseyside, his performances will go from strength to strength.
Klopp knows a talented attack-minded player when he sees one, and there is a reason why he was willing to spend £35 million for his services.
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