Oxlade-Chamberlain winning over Liverpool fans on-and-off the pitch

Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is beginning to win over the doubters with impressive work on-and-off the pitch at Anfield.

He’s a squad player we paid too much for. We should have bought a center back. He’s an Arsenal reject and another average English player. We don’t need him. Where’s he going to play?

You don’t here Liverpool fans saying these things anymore about Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Back at the end of August there was a good chunk of the Liverpool fanbase that was excited to have the dynamic midfielder arrive at Anfield. But mainly there was indifference and more than a little skepticism.

His purchase felt like one of opportunism rather than need or desire. Here was an England international and experienced Premier League player from a top club that is available. He needs a fresh start and we need more bodies.

Slowly, but surely, he has won over more and more fans. Sunday’s game against Bournemouth may prove something of a tipping point in that regard. He played in his favored central midfield role and had his best game in Liverpool red. (Well, white and black and whatever)

He was able to grab his second assist for the club, laying it off for the prolific Mohamed Salah, but it was the rest of his performance that stood out. One sequence in particular had fans standing in applause as he won the ball off ex-Red Jordan Ibe with a crunching tackle. He then drove forward  into the Bournemouth box before unleashing a rasping shot that hit the outside of the post.

According to the whoscored.com grading system it was his best performance of the season for Liverpool with 8.85 points. He actually had a 9.23 game for Arsenal on the opening day. The seasonal rotation has opened up more opportunities and he is taking them with gusto.

One more interception

To add to his on-field progress is his attitude off the pitch highlighted yesterday in the post game interviews.

He leapt in to defend teammate Philippe Coutinho as he was being asked, again, about the transfer speculation over his future. It was great to see; a player protecting his colleague, shielding the club and keeping the focus on how we are playing and progressing.

Next: How did AOC rank? Player ratings v Bournemouth

So often with incoming players they fail to improve. The pressure of playing for the club and the expectations of the fans, realistic and fantastical, can crush a players confidence and belief. Jurgen Klopp has Oxlade-Chamberlain growing tactically, technically and as a leader. It is great to watch it happen.