Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has opened up on his exit from Liverpool this summer, revealing he was never officially told he would not be getting a new contract until days before his departure was confirmed.
The 30-year-old left Anfield after six years at the club when his contract expired at the end of last season, and he received a fond farewell from the fans after the final home game against Aston Villa on May 20 alongside Roberto Firmino, James Milner and Naby Keita.
Oxlade-Chamberlain’s departure was hardly unexpected after he made just nine top flight appearances across the campaign, but the England international has claimed manager Jurgen Klopp never spoke to him about his future during the final months of his stay on Merseyside.
Reflecting on the latter stages of last season, Oxlade-Chamberlain told The Athletic: ‘Some of the younger players were getting an opportunity to be involved, getting them ready for years to come, which I understand.
‘I just guess you want that communicated to you because you start going out of your mind thinking, “What more can I do here?”. And it was never really written off that you’re not getting offered a new contract.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain bid farewell to Liverpool in the summer after six years at the club
He has revealed there was a ‘surprising lack of communication’ with Jurgen Klopp prior to his departure
‘It was never said (that he wouldn’t get a new deal). I obviously got the picture (laughs).
‘I got told before they released the statement (three days before that Villa game): “Just so you know, we’re putting this out about you, Milly, Bobby and Naby leaving”. And I was like, “Oh, OK. Thanks”. But there was nothing official at any point before. It was just… the silence was enough to know what the situation was.’
‘You just… expect certain things to be told — whether it’s good, bad, whatever, that’s how the game goes. The lack of communication was… a bit surprising.’
Despite not being given a clearer picture about his future, Oxlade-Chamberlain insisted he always had a strong relationship with Klopp, but conceded he is now fully aware of how ruthless the business side of football can be.
‘We (he and Klopp) had a good relationship. There was never any falling-out or anything like that,’ Oxlade-Chamberlain said.
‘I understand as a manager it’s not easy to navigate every player’s needs, but when I was playing, I definitely…