Michael Owen sends blunt warning to Liverpool FC signing
Liverpool FC legend Michael Owen warns Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain that he could be fighting a losing battle to break into the Reds team
Michael Owen has admitted that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could be fighting a losing battle to earn a place in the Liverpool team.
The England international moved to Liverpool in a £40m deal from Arsenal on transfer deadline day after Oxlade-Chamberlain opted to move to Anfield ahead of a potential switch to defending Premier League champions Chelsea.
Oxlade-Chamberlain opted to move to Liverpool ahead of signing a contract extension with the north London side given the promise of regular first-team football at the Merseyside outfit.
The Liverpool signing has only made one start in all competitions since his switch to Anfield following a disappointing performance in a 2-0 loss to Leicester City in the League Cup.
Oxlade-Chamberlain has made five substitute appearances in the Premier League, while the 24-year-old has come off the bench against Sevilla, Spartak Moscow and Maribor.
The versatile midfielder opened his Liverpool account with a smart finish in Tuesday night’s record-breaking 7-0 victory over Slovenian opponents Maribor in the Champions League.
Former Liverpool striker Owen admitted that Oxlade-Chamberlain will struggle to break into the Reds team even if he produces impressive cameo performances like Tuesday night.
“He has done no harm [on Tuesday night],” Owen told BT Sport.
“He came on against Manchester United and did fine as well. He has to come on and do his best. [But] that still might not be good enough because it’s such a strong unit.”
Liverpool finished in fourth place in the Premier League table last term.
