Klopp reassures Ox over game time

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain made the right decision in moving from Arsenal to Anfield.

The England midfielder joined Liverpool from the Gunners on deadline day, citing a need for regular first-team football in his favoured central midfield position.

The 24-year-old has so far been restricted to just 57 minutes of action in three substitute appearances for his new club, but Klopp says he sees the £35m signing as a "long-term" prospect who will feature regularly later in the season.

"I thought it made complete sense for Alex to change club and to come here," the German said.

"He has settled in perfectly. He knew at least all the England players and a few others.

"He is a really nice lad so it is easy for him to settle into a new team. He knows the situation.

"He played all the games for Arsenal from the beginning and now he comes here and is on the bench so it looks: 'Oh, not the best decision', but it is long-term thing.

"We want to use him and to prepare him also. It is all good from this side at the moment."

Klopp believes Oxlade-Chamberlain, who made his Gunners' debut at the age of 18 after a season of League One football with Southampton, carried the burden of unrealistic expectations as a teenager.

"Probably when Alex was 18 or 19 people thought he would be 'The Man' – as people think a lot of times pretty early – and immediately you put a rucksack on their back," he continued. 

"That makes development not easy. He’s at a perfect age and is still able to make big steps."

Oxlade-Chamberlain, third-choice goalkeeper Danny Ward and the Serbia midfielder Marko Grujic will start Tuesday's third-round Carabao Cup tie against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium, as Klopp rotates his squad ahead of four games in 11 days.

Liverpool are next in action on the eir Sport pack in their Premier League game against Leicester City at the King Power Stadium on Saturday, 23 September, a match which will be shown live on BT Sport 1 [kick off 5.30pm]

Image: Getty Images/Mark Metcalfe

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