Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has revealed the specifics of his surprising exit from Liverpool, stating his displeasure at the lack of communication regarding his contract position. Despite being fit for the majority of the season, the midfielder, who had been with the club for six years, made only 13 appearances in his final season.
As his contract reached its end, there was limited hope of a renewal, but Oxlade-Chamberlain claimed he was caught aback by the silence about his future. The lack of contact extended to his boss, Jurgen Klopp, with whom he enjoyed a positive connection during his time at Anfield.
“I just guess you want that your place in the team communicated to you because you start going out of your mind thinking, ‘What more can I do here?’,” he told the Athletic‘s
“And it was never really written off that you’re not getting offered a new contract.”
“It was never said [but] I obviously got the picture,” he said with a laugh.
“I got told before they released the statement [three days before the Villa game]: ‘Just so you know, we’re putting this out about you, Milly, Bobby and Naby leaving’.
“And I was like, ‘Oh, OK. Thanks’. But there was nothing official at any point before. It was just, the silence was enough to know what the situation was.”
“You just, expect certain things to be told — whether it’s good, bad, whatever, that’s how the game goes,” he says. “The lack of communication was, a bit surprising.
Although there are no lasting grievances, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s revelation shows the competitive personality of professional football. “I had a fantastic time in Liverpool.” I couldn’t think of anything bad to say about my time there. “I wouldn’t even say it ended badly,” he said firmly.
The 30-year-old midfielder has later moved on to a new chapter in his career, signing for Turkish club Besiktas. He has made a solid start to his time at the club, signaling a new beginning after his unexpected departure from Liverpool.
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