Liverpool new boy Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain showed glimpses of promise against Maribor but whether he passed this audition is unclear
- Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was handed a start for Liverpool against Maribor
- The winger has seen his chances limited since making the switch from Arsenal
- Oxlade-Chamberlain and Liverpool struggled early on as Maribor parked the bus
- As the game opened up the England international began to show promise
In his programme notes, Jurgen Klopp described Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as 'dynamite'.
Liverpool fans have certainly spent a long time waiting for him to explode onto the scene.
To much head scratching, the Merseysiders, in desperate need of a defender and goalkeeper or two, gave Arsenal £35m to bring the England attacking midfielder north at the end of August.
Jurgen Klopp described Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as 'dynamite' in his pre-Maribor notes
The winger was given a rare start in the red of Liverpool since making his switch from Arsenal
The itch remains. Despite injuries to new teammates, Oxlade-Chamberlain is yet to start a Premier League match. His one start before this one, in the 2-0 Carabao Cup defeat at Leicester City, prompted severe criticism.
Perhaps it was that lack of activity that prompted a gushing outburst from Klopp.
'He has shown his class each and every time he has had the opportunity on the pitch,' he wrote. 'He is like dynamite when he comes on.'
There was little sign of that in the first half - but there were mitigating circumstances. The Slovenians were hammered 7-0 by Liverpool on their own patch a fortnight ago.
Hardly surprising, then, that they happily jumped into the driving seat of the bus Huddersfield parked at Anfield on Saturday and left the handbrake firmly in place.
As the game opened up Oxlade-Chamberlain began to show glimpses of promise in the tie
Klopp paid £35million for the winger's services but knows he will be hard pressed for a place
Two half chances came and went for Oxlade-Chamberlain before Klopp switched him from the left to the right of his attacking trio.
Things got slightly better in front of the Kenny Dalglish Stand, from where he sent over two crosses unmarked teammates could not finish, but with the second half came a switch back to the left.
Following Mohamed Salah's opener, space finally opened up. Oxlade-Chamberlain showed some nice touches and was unlucky to see a shot deflected over the bar.
Indeed, it would be harsh to pile criticism on the ex-Gunner. He clearly needs time and a run of games to get back to anywhere near his best.
With Adam Lallana, Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mane to return following the international break, whether he will get it remains to be seen.
Most watched Sport videos
- Heartwarming moment NY Red Bulls players give their coats to mascots
- Shocking moment footy star strikes rival during heated contest
- Gareth Southgate comments on design change of new England shirt
- New York Jets star Sauce Gardner claims Jewish people 'run the world'
- Kelce dances to Taylor Swift's 'Bad Blood' on the golf course
- A brawl erupts between Sydney Roosters and Rabbitohs fans
- Travis and Jason Kelce CLASH over who would win a drinking contest
- YouTuber buys Marcus Rashford's wrecked £700k Rolls-Royce
- David Seaman on Southgate, England & EURO 2024
- Kate Abdo's partner broken speaks on Carragher's 'loyalty' joke
- Steph Houghton trains with England team mates ahead of World Cup
- NRL star Liam Knight dying his hair a very white blonde