Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen has warned new signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain that he must battle hard in order to become a regular in Jurgen Klopp’s starting XI.

The 24-year-old transferred from Arsenal to Liverpool in the summer for a fee of around £40m, but has struggled for consistency and failed to nail down a starting role in the side.

The forward did manage to find the net during Liverpool’s 7-0 thrashing of Maribor on Tuesday though, his first goal for the Reds. But Owen has admitted that he must do more to break into Klopp’s forward line which boasts an amazing wealth of talent.

Speaking on BT Sport after the game, Owen said: “It’s not easy [for Oxlade-Chamberlain] – how do you get in ahead of players like [Mohamed] Salah and [Philippe] Coutinho?”

“He’s an attacking midfielder, I know he’s played in the centre before but at the minute, how does he get in?”

“He’s got to be better than the others but he’s not better than those. That’s what’s he’s up against – it won’t be easy.”

“He will get a chance throughout the season and he will have to take it. He just has do it every time and even then it might not be enough.” Liverpool put their frustrating Premier League run behind them at Maribor, scoring four first-half goals and three after the break to secure an emphatic victory.”
[Quotes sourced via Metro]

Chamberlain has found it very difficult so far at Liverpool, but the class is there to be seen and he just needs to get a run of consistency. Competing with the likes of Mane, Coutinho, Lallana and Salah can’t be easy for him, but if he is to become a regular starter he must prove his worth and continue to play the way he did against Maribor.