Liverpool 1-1 Napoli: Five things we learned as toothless Reds struggled
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has to start against Brighton
The signs have been there for a while but it’s started to get to the point where we have to consider this Oxlade-Chamberlain revival as permanent.
After scoring against Genk, Arsenal, Genk, Montenegro and assisting against Kosovo, the Ox was asked to play a substitute role by Klopp. But it soon became clear that his skills were required sooner rather than later and Oxlade-Chamberlain was sent on.
He changed the game almost immediately and hit a gorgeous cross to Firmino after receiving the ball from Mane. Bobby couldn’t finish the move but all of a sudden there was zip and energy from the engine room and the Ox threatened to open things up.
light. Liverpool 1-1 Napoli match report. Oxlade-Chamberlain sparks static Reds
Fabinho is banned for the Brighton game on Saturday, but even if he wasn’t you’d have to pencil the England international in for a starting role regardless. Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum both had decent games but everything seemed to change once the ex-Arsenal man got on the field.
Oxlade-Chamberlain’s range of passing, his willingness to dribble at Napoli defenders and his technique were clearly evident. Before his injury, Klopp started to see the Ox as one of the main pillars of his midfield. He should be reinstated as such, starting on Saturday.