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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is something of a Jekyll and Hyde player but he is happy to embrace both aspects of his game as it benefits his side.
The England international has not started back-to-back matches since July 2020 but has been in the XI for two of the last three and played 81 minutes of the other.
Klopp suggested the 28-year-old had been, on occasions, trying too hard to impress after an injury-plagued last couple of years but he was nevertheless happy with the way he had performed.
Midfield has been a problem area with James Milner, Naby Keita and Curtis Jones out and Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara โ after a six-week absence โ only just returning.
โMassive. Massive. He played a really good game against Atletico (in midweek), very mature,โ said the Reds boss when asked about the importance of the midfielder getting regular game time.
โHe had his โOxlade-Chamberlainโ moments โ good with the ball and all that kind of stuff โ but we need โMr Oxlade-Chamberlainโ as well, the mature one, the calm one, the closing one.
โWe had a proper talk before the game about what we expect and he fulfilled the role really well and I was happy with him.
โThe problem is, when you havenโt played for a long time and you consider the situation, you think you have to convince people.
โThen itโs probably more the โspeed upsโ and they are brilliant but there is not always the space for it.
โI was so happy for him he could mix it up because we need both. We have usually both but when he hasnโt played for a long time he tries to over-achieve in a game.
โBut it was, in a positive way, a relaxed performance but really helpful to the team.
โThatโs how you get rhythm and when you play like this, it will not be long before you play again.โ
Liverpool head to West Ham on Sunday looking to set a new club record of 26 matches unbeaten.
But they will face in-form opponents who are excelling in David Moyesโ second spell in charge.
โItโs good fun watching them. They became a high-intensity team and you can only do that when you are on the front foot,โ he said.
โWhen you want to finish off the situation you need top strikers and thatโs what they have. I like (Jarrod) Bowen a lot, he made his way up from Hull and didnโt take too long to get there. He made big steps.
โMichail Antonio has played five or six different positions since I was in England: he is a a proper, proper striker. (Said) Benrahma is a really exciting one.
โThe only problem West Ham have, which we all have, is this league is so incredibly good and you have to be on your top (form) every single day.
โThe better you get the more pressure you have to win games.
โWe know we face an exceptionally well-organised, well-trained, well-equipped opponent on Sunday.โ
REUTERS