Liverpool midfielder picks out key reason for return to form
Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has revealed the key reason he has returned to form after impressing against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday evening.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has struggled for minutes this season with youngsters Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones seemingly moving ahead of him in Jurgen Klopp’s midfield ranks.
However, injuries to Jones, Elliott, James Milner and Naby Keita, as well as a lack of match fitness to Fabinho and Thiago, has seen the midfielder get his chance.
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Speaking to Liverpoolfc.com, when asked if rhythm had helped his return to form, the Ox admitted: “Yeah, of course. Look, a player like me who sometimes tries to do risky things – run with the ball, drive with the ball – obviously rhythm helps that.
“Rhythm helps all players, of course, but I think especially me with the way I play, with more game time and games it becomes a bit more natural and I don’t have to think about these things as much.
“So no, I think it’s getting better but obviously at the minute we’ve got a few injuries in midfield. Hopefully soon we’ll have everyone back and then the competition starts, but as long as I can be absolutely ready and be able to perform well if needed, I need to make sure I’m doing that.
“Games help and I felt better tonight [against Atletico] – but I think I definitely can improve even more for sure.”
Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Atletico confirmed the Reds as group winners with two games to spare. Porto and AC Milan were the other opponents that Klopp’s side have faced in what looked to be a tough group.
Chamberlain has also reflected on the news of Liverpool’s Champions League progression.
“Obviously on paper it’s a really hard group with a lot of quality in there but I think we approached all the games exactly how we needed to,” the 28-year-old said.
“We always say that on our best days we can beat anyone, and especially in a competition like this you have to beat the best. So it’s obviously not sometimes ideal to have so many good teams in your group, it can make it harder, but if you want to do well in this competition you’ve got to beat these kind of teams.
“We’ve started the campaign off really well, we’ve got ourselves through, and I think we performed really well throughout.”