Pundit shares ‘big’ Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain new contract claim after Liverpool development
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will struggle to save his Liverpool career despite returning to the starting XI.
That’s according to former Hibernian striker Tam McManus, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the midfielder’s future.
Oxlade-Chamberlain, 29, started on the left-hand side in Liverpool’s 3-1 win at Villa Park on Boxing Day and against Leicester on 30 December.
He also started and scored as the Reds lost 3-1 to Brentford on Monday (2 January).
Injuries to Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota have given Oxlade-Chamberlain the chance to play regular first-team football for the first time in over a year.
Despite this McManus claims the midfielder won’t be at the club next season.
“Has he done enough not earn a new contract?” McManus told Football Insider‘s Ben Wild.
“He’s only played a couple of games and while he has done well, Liverpool have better options when everyone is fit.
“A new deal would surprise me because I still think he won’t be there next season. I don’t think three games causes the club and the manager to have a major rethink over your position.
“He has played well, no doubt about it. But Diaz and Jota are better and they won’t be injured forever. You have to take the last couple of years into account as well.
“He’s barely played. So I don’t think a little run of performances now changes anything. It would be a big surprise to me if he was still playing regularly at the end of the season, never mind next season.
“He’s got talent.
“But is what Liverpool need, I don’t think so.”
In other news, Liverpool have been backed to sign a Jude Bellingham alternative after an update on signing three more stars.