In a move few saw coming, Liverpool announced midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain signed a new long-term contract on Thursday. The 26-year-old extends his stay at Anfield for a further year.
According to This Is Anfield, Oxlade-Chamberlain’s original deal was to expire in 2022. However, Transfermarkt states the new contract will see the midfielder as a Red until 2023. The new contract should also see an increase in Oxlade-Chamberlain’s £90,000-per-week salary.
Oxlade-Chamberlain joined Liverpool in the summer of 2017 from Arsenal. At the time, Liverpool were criticised for spending £34 million on the Englishman. However, Liverpool and Oxlade-Chamberlain have got the last laugh. Not only has the midfielder’s performances be excellent for the Reds, but the price for English players continues to rise.
Liverpool’s No. 15 was just beginning to carve out a place in the team when a devasting knee injury at the end of 2017-18 put him on the shelf for nearly 12 months. Oxlade-Chamberlain returned in the spring of 2019 to training, but it was only this summer that he was truly able to resume first-team football.
Playing as a central midfielder, Oxlade-Chamberlain has tallied five goals and eight assists in 47 matches in all competitions for Liverpool.
After signing the new contract, Oxlade-Chamberlain spoke to Liverpool’s official website.
“I’m really, really excited – it’s been in the pipeline for a little while, so it’s nice to finally get it done and just extend my time here, which I am really looking forward to,” Oxlade-Chamberlain said.
“I feel like I missed out on a year, which I obviously did, so it’s really exciting for me to be able to sign. It’s something that I feel is an opportunity to give that year back and make up for lost time – and hopefully put in some good performances to make amends for not being around last year.
“You’ve got to count your blessings every time you get an opportunity like this, you don’t get the chance to play for Liverpool Football Club every day. I am really excited to be able to extend my time here.”
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