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Oxlade-Chamberlain braced for Firmino challenge at Liverpool

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Roberto Firmino - Liverpool
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With the Reds No.9 yet to return from his summer break, the midfielder has taken up his role during pre-season.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is braced for the challenge of providing Roberto Firmino competition for the striker’s role at Liverpool.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has been operating as a midfielder for Liverpool ever since his arrival at the club from Arsenal back in 2017, and pretty much for all his senior career.

However, Jurgen Klopp has been experimenting with him as a striker during the pre-season.

Although it’s too early to tell, Klopp’s decision has appeared to be a good one so far. The England international has impressed in his role as he scored a thunderous volley in Thursday’s friendly against Hertha Berlin.

“It’s a new little role up there which I quite enjoy,” the Liverpool official website quotes Oxlade-Chamberlain.

“It’s similar to how the more advanced midfielder plays in the team, but a little bit different defensively to get used to. Bobby does it better than anyone in world football so it’s not easy to follow him.

“In possession you can pick up nice positions and get on the ball. If I do play more often in that position my main thing is to contribute with goals because we create a lot in and around that area.

“Even when I’ve played in advanced midfield, I feel I can score goals from that area.”

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