‘REDS STILL AMAZING WITHOUT COUTINHO’
Oxlade-Chamberlain emphasises on Liverpool’s tenacity
LONDON
SO it turns out the topic that has dominated conversations across the city has failed to make it into one specific place — Liverpool's dressing room.
While Philippe Coutinho's move to Barcelona continues to be discussed and debated, with many Liverpudlians wondering why the crown jewels have been sold, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is quick to speak up for the group of players the Brazilian left behind.
“People will come and go,” said Oxlade-Chamberlain. It is our job to keep the wheels moving and momentum going. You don't like to see friends go — Phil is a really good guy — and we wish him all the best. But for me? It's business as usual. I haven't really even thought about Phil leaving.
“You can't think, ‘What are we going to do now Phil isn't here?’
“When Phil didn't play in some games we still played great football. We have amazing players who can score like Mo Salah, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino. Goals and creativity all over the team.”
This feels like a significant moment for Liverpool, in terms of how they will cope without Coutinho, but the same can also be said for Oxlade-Chamberlain, the first member of the squad who has been prepared to sit down and discuss the state of the nation.
The 24-year-old explained the process of how Jurgen Klopp will move the squad forward and gives an insight into how he overcame a stuttering start after last August's £35 million move from Arsenal.
Oxlade-Chamberlain is someone who Klopp will increasingly look to in the coming months and his form of late has shown why Liverpool were so keen to sign him.
He has found a rhythm on and off the pitch, relishing the opportunity to establish himself.
“When I made the decision to come here, I told myself I was going to stick by it no matter what happened,” he said.
“When you come somewhere new, you want to hit the ground running and have people talking positively as early as possible.
“I knew there was a chance that might not happen so when it didn't I was ready for that. There was never a time I thought I'd made the wrong decision, I was focused on how I can keep improving.”
He will, undoubtedly, have a key role to play tomorrow when Manchester City arrive in town protecting their unbeaten record.
“Of course they are not unbeatable. When I used to come to Anfield as an away player, I always knew it was going to be a hard game, no matter what kind of form your team was in.
Should Liverpool do that, maybe then the conversations about Coutinho will finally stop. Daily Mail
You don't like to see friends go — Phil is a really good guy — and we wish him all the best. But for me? It's business as usual. I haven't really even thought about Phil leaving.”
I’m very excited,” Coquelin told Valencia’s website, saying he had talked to coach Marcelino Garcia Toral.
“I spoke on the phone, we had a good contact, a good conversation, so I am very happy to be here today,” Coquelin said.
Coquelin joined Arsenal in 2008 and made 160 appearance for the club. Jack Wilshere’s return to the Arsenal team helped limit Coquelin to one Premier League appearance this season. He had been linked to West Ham and Crystal Palace as well as Valencia.
After leaving Coquelin out of Arsenal’s team for Wednesday’s League Cup semi-final first leg draw at Chelsea, Wenger confirmed: “He goes to Valencia. He didn’t get enough games for us this season. He had an opportunity and I let him go.”
The club bade Coquelin farewell on Twitter saying: “We wish Francis well at Valencia and thank him for his contribution to the club.” AFP