Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain voiced his frustration with Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, criticizing the absence of clear communication prior to his departure from Anfield. The midfielder, who left Liverpool for Turkish club Besiktas after six seasons, felt sidelined at Merseyside, starting only 17 matches in the 2021-22 season. His situation worsened due to a hamstring injury during the 2022-23 pre-season, resulting in limited opportunities, often in matches already decided.
Oxlade-Chamberlain, in an interview with The Athletic, revealed his disappointment: “I just guess you want that communicated to you because you start going out of your mind thinking, ‘What more can I do here?’. It was never really written off that you’re not getting offered a new contract.” He expressed surprise over the lack of official communication, stating, “The silence was enough to know what the situation was.”
Despite his dismay, Oxlade-Chamberlain acknowledged his positive relationship with Klopp, making the lack of communication even more unexpected. He said, “We had a good relationship. There was never any falling-out or anything like that. I understand as a manager it’s not easy to navigate every player’s needs.”
Looking ahead, Oxlade-Chamberlain will feature in the Turkish derby as Besiktas faces Galatasaray, while Klopp will lead Liverpool in the Merseyside derby against Everton, both matches scheduled for the upcoming Saturday.