OPINION
Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain definitely had the required effect against Genk on Wednesday evening.
The England international was thrown into the starting line up in Belgium and fully delivered by scoring two great goals as the Reds cruised to a 4-1 victory in the Champions League.
Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah also got on the score sheet, but it was Oxlade-Chamberlain who caught the eye, with his second goal particularly pleasing on the eye.
The 26-year-old calmly curled an effort in the top corner which went in off the bar with the outside of his boot, reminding the Liverpool fans exactly what he can do when given the chance in midfield.
Despite him starring in the game against Genk, Jurgen Klopp had a different view on his performance and claimed that Oxlade-Chamberlain can do much better than that.
“It was absolutely a great moment for him, but I would say with Ox his performance was exactly the same as the performance of the team – the goals were great but all the rest could have been better,” he told Sky Sports.
“That’s how it is, but it’s no problem. The (second) goal was sensational and very important for us. Wonderful.”
The £120,000-a-week midfielder [Spotrac] is still coming back from that long-term injury he suffered and will continue to get better with the more opportunities he is given by Klopp.
The German will be hoping that his comments motivate Oxlade-Chamberlain to push on and become even better in the future, something that will surely leave Liverpool fans salivating over his potential.
Klopp will go into the game against Tottenham with somewhat of a selection headache in midfield, with both Adam Lallana and Oxlade-Chamberlain having a great impact on the Reds’ last two results.
Both will deserve a shot in the starting line-up against Spurs on Sunday, but it may be Oxlade-Chamberlain who gets the nod given the fact that he started in the Champions League clash.
Either way, Liverpool fans will be salivating over the thoughts that the 26-year-old could get even better, and Sunday may be their first opportunity to witness just that.
