Oxlade-Chamberlain signs new Liverpool deal

Published on: 22 August 2019

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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is the latest player to extend his commitment to Liverpool by signing a new contract until 2023.

The 26-year-old, who joined the club in a £35 million deal from Arsenal in August 2017, inked fresh terms at Melwood on Thursday ahead of the blockbuster fixture against his former side this weekend.

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The midfielder's 24 months at Anfield have been mixed. He was instrumental during his debut season, especially in the domestic and Champions League victories over Manchester City before suffering multiple ligament damage against Roma in the semifinals of the continental competition in April 2018.

Oxlade-Chamberlain was involved in just four matchday squads in 2018-19 as he recovered from the devastating setback, but is primed to resume his role as Jurgen Klopp's dynamo in the centre of the park having made consecutive starts in the victories over Chelsea in the Super Cup and in the Premier League at Southampton.

The player's positive, determined attitude during rehabilitation as well as his contributions behind the scenes greatly impressed Liverpool's coaching staff, who were in no doubt he'd return stronger.

"We all know Alex's story since he came to the club, and yes there have been disappointments as well as highs, but what has impressed me and everyone is his attitude to dealing with setbacks and his character," Klopp told the team's website.

"That's why none of us were ever in any doubt about him fighting his way back in the way he did. To see him play almost the whole game at Southampton on Saturday was such a positive moment for all of us, especially him.

"Now he is no longer injured, he is fit and he can kick on and show once again just how good he is."

Oxlade-Chamberlain joins Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane, Jordan Henderson, Joe Gomez, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Andy Robertson and Divock Origi as the senior players to have agreed new deals with the club over the past 16 months.

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Liverpool subscribed to a policy of retention rather than reconstruction during this period, with Klopp explaining to ESPN FC: "These are our transfers. The new contracts and keeping these boys here is a strong, strong signal for the outside world.

"It's a wonderful sign, to be honest. I like the fact that these boys are really at a good football age. They won the European Cup, which is good and helps of course because it increases your base."

Source: espn.co.uk

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