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OX DOWNSIZES

Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain tries on his Liverpool shirt for size after agreeing to take a pay cut at Anfield

England midfielder could have trousered over £200,000-week at Chelsea; instead he's settled for £120,000 plus incentives

KOP this... Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in a Liverpool shirt.

So it's official - the Ox has joined the Reds, his favourite boyhood team.

 The Ox played for Arsenal in front of his new boss Jurgen Klopp at Anfield on Sunday
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The Ox played for Arsenal in front of his new boss Jurgen Klopp at Anfield on SundayCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Not only that, he's taken a pay cut to be there.

Having rejected £180,000-a-week to stay at Arsenal, the 24-year-old midfielder was reportedly being lined up for £200,000-plus at Chelsea.

After turning that offer down in the interests of playing where he actually wants to - in central midfield  - he's said to have to have agreed to £120,000, plus incentive bonuses.

Now at Anfield, Oxlade-Chamberlain is viewed as the long-term successor to James Milner.

Mind you, hopefully that doesn't mean filling in at left-back!

And he's hoping he gets more game time on Merseyside.

Amazingly, the man who cost Arsenal £12million in 2011 made just 68 Premier League starts for the Gunners... and was a substitute 64 times.

Now the England man has the chance to put the record straight at Liverpool.

 Oxlade-Chamberlain and Sadio Mane are team-mates now
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Oxlade-Chamberlain and Sadio Mane are team-mates nowCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Is the Ox seeking a review? Liverpool hope not as he makes the gesture at the England training camp
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Is the Ox seeking a review? Liverpool hope not as he makes the gesture at the England training campCredit: PA:Press Association
 The Ox thought signing for Chelsea would be a stretching a point so chose the Reds instead
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The Ox thought signing for Chelsea would be a stretching a point so chose the Reds insteadCredit: PA:Press Association
 Oxlade-Chamberlain signed for Liverpool whilst on England duty
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Oxlade-Chamberlain signed for Liverpool whilst on England dutyCredit: Reuters
 Oxlade-Chamberlain limbers up for the Malta game alongside Chelsea's Gary Cahill
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Oxlade-Chamberlain limbers up for the Malta game alongside Chelsea's Gary CahillCredit: Reuters

He's started pulling on his new shirt, which he hopes to wear regularly on the pitch - and not just on the bench.

The Ox's biggest problem at Arsenal was an inability to hold down a first-team place, especially as he'd like to play central and not wing-back.

The former Southampton player started all four of Arsenal's game this season - including Sunday's 4-0 hammering at Anfield.


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But in the system that plays three at the back he's been playing further down the pitch than he's perhaps used to.

And in a world where footballers' wages are obscene it's nice to see a player take less in order to play where he wants to!

Juventus, meanwhile, are reportedly making one, final push of €25m for Liverpool midfielder Emre Can.

According to La Stampa, Juve are looking to sign a midfielder after losing Claudio Marchisio to injury.

 

 

 

 

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