Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s stats with Liverpool so far are nearly identical to his final season with Arsenal, suggesting not much has changed.
When Oxlade-Chamberlain left Arsenal at the start of the 2017/18 season, we all had to spend the rest of the year listening to media claims of the tremendous transformation he’d made with his new club – despite little evidence of any actual improvement.
The former Gunner was certainly playing a new position, taking up a more central role, but his form was still inconsistent, he still brought all the same positives and negatives in and out of possession. The only difference seemed to be that he was playing for a better team.
Just over a year later, Oxlade-Chamberlain has returned from his ACL injury to find himself dropping in and out of Klopp’s side this season.
Twitter user Chris Moore took a look at some stats to compare the player’s start with Liverpool to his finish with Arsenal. Specifically, he judged Ox’s Premier League games with Liverpool so far, against his final season and the first three games of 2017/18 with Arsenal.
Taking a look at Oxlade-Chamberlain’s numbers with Liverpool v his last season+ with Arsenal: pic.twitter.com/eOluvOlG42
— Chris Moore (@chrismoore32) October 20, 2019
The eye test yields similar results. Oxlade-Chamberlain looked exactly like his Arsenal self against Manchester United over the weekend, taking players on effectively, fizzing powerful shots at goal that rarely find the target and chipping passes off the pitch.
The England international is certainly not a bad player. He brings something to the team from the bench at Liverpool just as he did at Arsenal. On his day he can really catch the eye, and on a bad day, he can be wasteful and leave gaps defensively.
For the player, the move was still clearly a good one. Ox has played Champions League football, lifting the trophy, and he’s played in his favourite position. He may well lift the Premier League trophy this year too.
I’d argue Arsenal will be happier with the £35m deal than Liverpool so far though. Neither club will feel cheated, but given the injuries and the fact he hasn’t really pushed on yet, that’s a good price.