Liverpool have confirmed midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has signed a new long-term contract at Anfield. The England international put pen to paper on his new deal on Thursday, and he has been rewarded for his hard work since joining the club in August 2017.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has featured three times so far this season, making his first Premier League start in 16 months in Liverpool’s 2-1 win at Southampton last Saturday.
With a full pre-season under his belt, the former Saints ace is hoping to continue his encouraging start to the new term.
Oxlade-Chamberlain suffered a serious knee injury while playing in the Champions League in April 2018, and missed the 2018 World Cup and the entire 2018/2019 Premier League campaign as a result.
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The playmaker was an unused substitute in June as Liverpool beat Tottenham in Madrid to win their sixth European crown and he says he is ready to make up for lost time. “I’m really, really excited – it’s been in the pipeline for a little while, so it’s nice to finally get it done and just extend my time here, which I am really looking forward to,” he told the club’s official website.
“I feel like I missed out on a year, which I obviously did, so it’s really exciting for me to be able to sign. It’s something that I feel is an opportunity to give that year back and make up for lost time – and hopefully put in some good performances to make amends for not being around last year.”
The No.15 has now made 47 appearances and scored five goals since leaving Arsenal two years ago. His decision to stay put will give Jurgen Klopp a huge boost ahead of Saturday’s crucial Premier League match against the Gunners.
The 26-year-old has plenty of competition for a starting jersey, with Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum all ahead of him in the pecking order.
James Milner, Adam Lallana and Naby Keita are also waiting in the wings, but Klopp will need a big squad this season if his side is to match rivals Manchester City.
The Reds finished just one point behind the Citizens last term, and Klopp believes his current crop can compete on all fronts.
The German only signed Sepp van den Berg, Adrian and Andy Lonergan this summer, while he allowed Danny Ings, Simon Mignolet, Daniel Sturridge and Alberto Moreno to leave the club.
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