Kop kids have the Ox factor
REDS YOUTH POLICY SPOT ON
LIVERPOOL midfielder Alex Oxlade Chamberlain hailed the Kop kids after their shoot-out success against Arsenal.
The Reds set up a Carabao Cup last-eight tie against Aston Villa with a 5-4 win on penalties after a 10-goal thriller at Anfield.
Jurgen Klopp’s youthful side, which included four teenagers in the starting line-up, came from behind twice, while it was 18-year-old midfielder Curtis Jones who came off the bench to hold his nerve and score the all-important fifth penalty.
“I think Arsenal had young players out as well but I think all of those young players are pretty involved in the first team and Europa League and stuff so they had more experience,” said Oxlade-Chamberlain (right).
“So it goes to show what quality we have here. More than that, it was more the character.
“It wasn’t plain sailing against tough opposition, a big club in
Arsenal, a lot of boys could have gone missing or the occasion could have got the better of them but they kept going.
“It is an education for all of us, even the more senior boys, but when you make mistakes in big games like that and big moments at the start of their careers, it is how you respond to that – and they responded really well. “To step up in front of the Kop like that, to convert all the penalties, especially with the young lads, shows a lot about the character. I am really happy with them.” Oxlade-Chamberlain scored a screamer on the eve of Halloween to help inspire Liverpool’s fightback as he made it 4-3 from distance. The former Gunner is pushing to get a regular starting spot but admitted he wasn’t overly happy with his performance.
He said: “Quality-wise, I am not too happy with my performance, to be honest.
“I wasn’t great on the ball and not near my own personal level of where I want to be. I put in a good shift and ran a lot.”