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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain joins Liverpool for £35m as Virgil van Dijk provides frustration for Jurgen Klopp
Jurgen Klopp, the Liverpool manager, hailed the “tough decision” of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to leave Arsenal for Anfield after the midfielder completed a £35 million move on Thursday.
Oxlade-Chamberlain became Liverpool’s fourth addition of this transfer window, with a fifth recruit – RB Leipzig’s Naby Keita – secured for next summer. The midfielder signed a five-year deal worth £120,000 a week – significantly less than the contract proposed at Arsenal.
But Klopp endured frustration in his attempts to add centre-half Virgil van Dijk to his squad, as Southampton would not entertain negotiations with the Merseyside club. Liverpool’s hopes of securing Van Dijk were effectively scuppered following the fallout of their initial attempts in June, when they were forced to apologise for a ‘misunderstanding’ in their pursuit.
Club owners Fenway Sports Group assured the Southampton hierarchy they would not make any approach unless invited. That would have required the Saints to opt to cash-in on the disgruntled Dutchman, but they stood firm despite a possible £70 million offer. Rather than seek an alternative centre-back, Klopp sought to wait for the player he really wants and follow a long-term plan.
Liverpool are sure to revive their interest in Van Dijk in January, or even wait until next summer.
In the meantime, Klopp has professed his delight at the business his club has done. He said he had been following Oxlade-Chamberlain since being impressed watching the midfielder for Arsenal against his Borussia Dortmund side in the 2014 Champions League.
Klopp also suggested it was courageous of the England international to switch between two esteemed clubs. The player also snubbed a bid from Chelsea.
“This is someone making a tough decision to leave one great club and come to another great club and I think he had many options, so to get him means I am delighted,” Klopp told the Liverpool club website.
“He didn’t make an easy decision, but I think he made a great one to go on this journey with this squad of talented boys and our great supporters.
“I am really, really happy we have got Alex signed. Since the last game I have been waiting and hoping we could make this transfer – and when I got the news he was ours it was fantastic.
“I remember the first time I saw him play live – it was at Dortmund in 2014 and he came on as a sub that day and made a big impact. He stood out immediately because of his pace and skills and his attitude in such a big game for a young player; I remember him chasing back to make a brilliant challenge on [Henrikh] Mkhitaryan in the box to save a certain goal.
“We won that game but lost the return match at Arsenal when he started and played well, I think he hit the post. Since then I have followed him and, when I heard it may be possible to sign him, I didn’t need to think twice.
“I hear a lot of talk about positions but let’s talk about the player; he is someone with really good abilities who always gives everything for his team. A player that is positive and willing to take risks to try to make positive things happen.
“He may still be young, but he has a lot of experience in the Premier League, Champions League and for his country. Already he is a very, very good player and I think he has the mentality and desire to get even better – and that excites me.”
There were also significant outgoings at Anfield.
Mamadou Sakho moved to Crystal Palace for £26 million, returning after last year’s successful loan spell at Selhurst Park.
Liverpool’s Divock Origi moved to Wolfsburg for a season loan for a £6 million fee. However, Liverpool insisted on a recall clause so the Belgian could return to Merseyside in January.
Youngster Ryan Kent has also gone to Germany. He has moved to Freiburg on loan.
Klopp was willing to let Origi move on a temporary basis, given his attacking options. The arrival of England Under-21 forward Dominic Solanke from Chelsea this summer was limiting Origi’s first-team chances.